- April 27, 2025
In cricket, sometimes the match is dictated less by the pitch, ball, or bat and more by what is happening between the ears. In the heated encounter between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI), one thing stood out loud and clear: Rishabh Pant needs to sort the chaos that reigns over his thought process. And when an all-time great such as Anil Kumble points it out, it is worth noticing. Let’s look into the whirlwind of decisions (and indecision) that had a key role in how things unfolded.
When to Walk In? Timing Is Everything
Even now, one of the biggest puzzles in the LSG innings was the timing of Rishabh Pant’s arrival at the crease. When LSG has looked most dangerous previously, Pant has been a vital part of the early top-order mayhem, but against MI, he was bizarrely held back, not entirely up the order but almost.
Overthinking is disastrous in T20s. Rather than walking in around the 10th or 11th over – a point in the innings where his natural positive aggression could take over – Pant was made to wait. And wait. And wait. Abdul Samad went in, and then came David Miller, and even after some quick wickets, Pant was still not sent in! After all of that time, Pant came into what was now a tired inning, and you could see it on his face. Timing isn’t just everything – it’s the only thing in T20!
Leadership Paralysis
LSG is not lacking in experienced leaders – David Miller, Mitch Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and Aiden Markram – all experienced players. With even highly qualified support staff, we would expect to see clarity of strategy. Instead, the absolute opposite was on display.
Whenever the camera panned to the team’s dugout, the expression on Pant’s face and body language oozed frustration. Kumble’s observation in the commentary box of a lost ship being unable to take personal responsibility for its lack of direction not only affects the lost ship itself but also drags the others down with it. If Pant isn’t thinking clearly as an individual, and Pant embodies thinking for the whole squad, how can the others be expected to do so? The issue wasn’t, particularly on the night in question, a lack of experience. The issue was a lack of a superior and a witness call when it mattered most. Too many opinions with not enough action.
Keep It Simple, Captain
Ultimately, cricket, and especially T20 cricket, is a simple game made complicated by the pressure placed on players. Generally speaking, one does not need to reinvent the wheel every match, get your best hitters in at the appropriate time of the match, back yourself, and trust the process.
While it may be a lot to comprehend, returning from a long injury layoff, while taking on the weight of an entire franchise, Rishabh Pant’s unique magic has always been in its fearless simplicity. There is no way forward if he starts to overthink about who goes in to bat where or what role he should play in the batting order. As Kumble suggested, perhaps a meeting with the senior group is what is required. Resolve the confusion, stick with the basics, and allow Pant the opportunity to be Pant. When he has good clarity, he doesn’t just win matches – he ticks off wins.
The LSG vs MI match wasn’t just about dropped catches or missed chances — it highlighted the mental fog that has surrounded one of India’s best players. Rishabh Pant’s strongest asset has always been his clarity and decisiveness under pressure; he must now find that gear again. With the right support and a clear mind, there is no reason to think he can’t turn it around in days of practice.
Because, at the end of the day, isn’t cricket — as in life — about learning to trust yourself when the heat is on?
For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!