Rishabh Pant Least Bothered by INR 27 Crore Tag, Carrying Last Year’s Baggage—Missing Smile Suggests What’s Ailing Him

Rishabh Pant, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, entered IPL 2025 as the league’s most expensive player, snapped up by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a jaw-dropping INR 27 crore. Yet, three matches into the season, the 27-year-old’s spark seems dimmed. With just 17 runs to his name and a captaincy stint under scrutiny, Pant’s trademark grin is conspicuously absent. Is the hefty price tag weighing him down, or is there more to the story? Let’s unpack the layers behind his slow start and what might be ailing India’s fearless cricketing maverick.

The INR 27 Crore Spotlight: Pressure or Perception?

When LSG outbid Delhi Capitals to secure Pant in the IPL 2025 mega auction, expectations soared. The INR 27 crore tag made him a headline act, but Pant has shrugged off suggestions that the price is a burden. “The auction’s over, and so is the talk about money,” he reportedly said, echoing LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka’s sentiment that team combination trumps individual cost. Experts like Piyush Chawla agree, arguing it’s not the paycheck but a dip in form that’s stalling Pant’s game. So, if the crores aren’t the culprit, what’s dimming his shine?

Pant’s IPL 2025 numbers tell a grim tale: a six-ball duck against Delhi Capitals, 15 off 13 versus Sunrisers Hyderabad, and a measly 2 against Punjab Kings. For a player known for audacious strokeplay and match-turning knocks, this is unfamiliar territory. Yet, his body language—once brimming with cheeky confidence—hints at a deeper struggle.

Last Year’s Baggage: A Lingering Shadow

Pant’s 2024 was a rollercoaster. After surviving a near-fatal car crash in late 2022, he roared back in IPL 2024 with Delhi Capitals, smashing 446 runs at a strike rate of 155.40. His heroics continued in India’s T20 World Cup triumph, where a tactical knee-taping moment in the final disrupted South Africa’s rhythm. But the highs gave way to lows. Dropped from India’s white-ball squads and overlooked for the Champions Trophy, Pant’s exclusion stung. Add to that his departure from Delhi Capitals—a team he’d led and loved for nine years—and the emotional baggage begins to pile up.

This transition to LSG, a franchise yet to reach an IPL final, might be more than just a change of jersey. Pant’s roots with Delhi ran deep, and uprooting that connection could be quietly gnawing at him. His muted celebrations and rare smiles on the field suggest a man wrestling with more than just bowlers.

The Missing Smile: A Window to the Mind

Pant’s infectious energy has always been his hallmark. From bantering with opponents to pulling off gravity-defying shots, he’s been cricket’s livewire. But in IPL 2025, that zest is missing. Against Delhi Capitals, he faced six dot balls before a reckless shot ended his innings—a stark contrast to his usual calculated aggression. Behind the stumps, a missed stumping in the final over handed DC a thrilling one-wicket win, and Pant’s reaction was telling: no frustration, no fire, just a blank stare.

Former players have noticed. Matthew Hayden criticized Pant’s “wasted” opportunities, while Aakash Chopra questioned his refusal to rotate strike. Is this a tactical misstep or a sign of mental fatigue? Pant’s Test form remains stellar—his six centuries match MS Dhoni’s record—but T20 cricket demands a different headspace. Carrying last year’s setbacks, from international snubs to franchise upheaval, might be dulling his edge in the IPL’s high-octane arena.

Captaincy Conundrum: A New Role, Old Challenges

Leading LSG is Pant’s latest challenge, but it’s not his first rodeo. He captained Delhi Capitals to the playoffs in 2021, showcasing sharp instincts. Yet, at LSG, his decisions—like persisting with a defensive approach against DC or misjudging bowling changes—have drawn flak. With a squad featuring stars like Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh, the tools are there, but the execution isn’t clicking. Is Pant still finding his feet as LSG’s leader, or is the weight of expectation—personal and professional—clouding his judgment?

What’s Ailing Him—and What’s Next?

Pant’s struggles aren’t about the INR 27 crore tag; he’s made that clear. Nor is it a lack of talent—his track record speaks volumes. Instead, it’s the baggage of 2024—rejection, relocation, and readjustment—that seems to linger. The missing smile isn’t just a quirk; it’s a clue to a mind navigating uncharted waters. For a player who thrives on instinct and freedom, this phase feels like a rare shackling.

The good news? Pant’s resilience is legendary. From a life-threatening accident to Test stardom, he’s defied odds before. One big knock—an audacious lofted cover drive or a cheeky ramp shot—could reignite his mojo. LSG fans, desperate for a turnaround, will hope Eden Gardens, where KKR awaits next, becomes his stage. For now, the cricketing world watches, wondering: when will Rishabh Pant smile again?