Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain, Rishabh Pant, is having a rough time both on and off the field. After facing another penalty for a slow over-rate, his troubles continue to mount. LSG’s defeat to Mumbai Indians on Sunday marked their third loss in four games, and it seems the captain’s issues are far from over.

Slow Over-Rate Offence: A Costly Mistake

Pant was fined for the second time in the 2025 IPL season for maintaining a slow over-rate during LSG's clash against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai's batting innings, which began first, wrapped up around 5:20 PM IST, taking over 110 minutes. This was Pant's second offence regarding the minimum over-rate requirement, leading to a hefty fine of Rs 24 lakh. He had already been reprimanded for a similar offence in the earlier LSG vs MI match.

As per the IPL’s Code of Conduct under Article 2.22, the penalty was not limited to Pant alone. All members of LSG’s playing XI, including the Impact Player, were also fined for the delay. They were charged either Rs 6 lakh or 25% of their match fees, whichever was lesser.

The Struggles of Rishabh Pant and LSG

Off the field, Pant’s form with the bat has been underwhelming. With an average of just 12.22 and a strike rate of 98.2, he’s yet to find his rhythm in IPL 2025. Despite trying to open the innings in one match, his performance has been lacklustre. Aside from a half-century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Pant has struggled to showcase the free-flowing style that has made him so successful in the past.

Moreover, LSG’s heavy reliance on Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran to score runs has exposed cracks in their line-up. When these two players failed to fire in Sunday’s game, the Super Giants couldn’t post a competitive total or chase down Mumbai’s target.

What Lies Ahead for LSG?

Now, with three losses in a row, LSG find themselves in a tight spot. To keep their playoff hopes alive, they need to win three of their remaining four matches. With tough teams like Punjab Kings, RCB, and Gujarat Titans ahead, Pant’s leadership will be put to the test in these must-win games.

The pressure is mounting for both Pant and LSG. With the season hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen if they can turn their fortunes around and avoid further penalties, both on and off the field.