LSG vs MI: Sanjiv Goenka Spent ₹27 Crore on the Wrong Horse—Rishabh Pant Flops Again, and Now He Can't Even Regret It Properly

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It was meant to be the fairytale comeback. It was meant to be Rishabh Pant’s return to glory in IPL 2025—an inspirational arc that would see him lead from the front, entertain the crowds, and justify his whopping ₹27 crore price tag.

But once again, under the floodlights and high expectations, Pant flattered to deceive. On Friday, in yet another limp display, he departed for just 2 off 6 balls, leaving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in deeper disarray.

The moment of dismissal came in the 11th over of the innings, with LSG looking to accelerate. Hardik Pandya delivered a slower ball that held up off the surface, and Pant—looking to flick it across the line—ended up handing a leading edge to mid-off. Substitute Corbin Bosch sprinted in and pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch. It was a moment symbolic of Pant’s tournament: clumsy, half-hearted, and ultimately wasteful.

Goenka’s Gamble, Pant’s Payout—and a Lack of Performance

Sanjiv Goenka, LSG’s owner and businessman par excellence, went all-in on Pant during the IPL 2025 auction, securing the wicketkeeper-batter for ₹27 crore in what was the most expensive signing of the season. But what was pitched as a masterstroke has begun to resemble a miscalculation of epic proportions.

Across four innings this season, Pant’s scores read: 0 (6), 15 (15), 2 (5), and now 2 (6). He has not only failed to contribute with the bat but has also looked short on confidence and rhythm. Whether it’s rust from his long injury layoff or simply poor decision-making, the fact remains—he hasn’t yet scored 27 runs in total, a statistic that's become a meme of its own.

Twitter Has No Chill

The brutal honesty of social media was on full display once Pant was dismissed.

• A User posted: “Rishab Pant has not yet crossed 27 runs, even after playing 4 games.”
• Another chimed in: “Rishab Pant got out early today again, Sanjeev Goenka is waiting for him.”
• A third went full desi satire: “Rishab Pant Bhai Kalabaaji na chali idhar, betting karek padi. Paisa barbaad. LSG malik be like...”
• One added: “Sanjeev Goenka's Reaction After Rishabh Pant gives him choko.”
• And finally: “Bro took 27cr and till now he has not even scored 27 runs in the entire tournament.”
  

Pant’s form has become less of a slump and more of a running joke.

Hardik’s Double Strike—More Than Just a Breakthrough

Hardik Pandya, the bowler who dismissed Pant, finished his spell with figures of 2-0-12-2. In just his second over, he managed to turn the match on its head. First, he sent back the out-of-form southpaw, then tied down new batter Ayush Badoni with a testing short-ball barrage. LSG’s innings stuttered at 108-3 after 11 overs, with momentum firmly in the opponent’s hands.

Hardik’s celebration said it all. A powerful “Come on!” echoed across the stadium, perhaps as much in joy as in disbelief—after all, Pant had gifted another wicket with a tame shot.

From Hope to Heartburn

Rishabh Pant’s comeback journey had all the ingredients of a success story—resilience after a car crash, a roaring fan base, and the biggest paycheck in IPL 2025. But as it stands, the tale is more tragic than triumphant.

It’s not that the LSG think tank didn’t try. Pant has batted in different positions, given space to build innings, and shielded from spin early on. Yet, nothing seems to stick. His footwork is hesitant, shot selection confused, and the trademark fearless spark seems long gone.

The ₹27 crore tag, once a badge of honour, now hangs like a weight around his neck.