IPL 2025: 'Jab Senapati Girta Hai Na...', Says Navjot Singh Sidhu As He Analyses LSG Captain Rishabh Pant's Struggles; Video
The keeper-batter, who became the most expensive player in the IPL auction, fetching ₹27 crore from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has seen his performance nosedive with every passing game. In 11 matches, Pant has managed only 128 runs at a woeful 12.80 alongside a shocking strike rate of 99.22.
Navjot Singh Sidhu and Rishabh Pant. | (Credits: X)
Former Indian opener Navjot Sidhu analysed Rishabh Pant's struggles in IPL 2025, with the tournament currently on suspension for a week amid border tensions against Pakistan. Sidhu pointed out self-doubt in Pant and stated that IPL teams usually struggle in a season when their captain does.
The keeper-batter, who became the most expensive player in the IPL auction, fetching ₹27 crore from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has seen his performance nosedive with every passing game. In 11 matches, Pant has managed only 128 runs at a woeful 12.80 alongside a shocking strike rate of 99.22. As a result, the Super Giants' playoff hopes also seem to be over as they have lost six out of 11 matches.
Speaking on Star Sports, Sidhu said it's vital for the captain to do well if a team is to win the IPL trophy. He elaborated:
"IPL mein jitni teams tagda khelti hain na, unke captain leads from the front. Captain is so vital aur main Rishabh Pant ko bahut maanta hoon. Mujhe lagta hai usme itni khaasiyat hai. He is the future, kyunki uska attitude aisa hai. Hamesha kehta hoon na, 'the distance from earth to heaven is not a matter of altitude, it's a matter of attitude'. Woh dabbang attitude hai. Mujhe pehli baar laga. Frustration bhi hua, gussa bhi aaya. Jab captain frustrated hota hai, woh gusse mein aata hai."
"Kahi baar aise laga, jab use upar aana chahiye tha, woh neeche aaya, aur jaab neeche aaya tab use upar aana chahiye tha. Use apne aapko fit karna nahin aaya, first time I saw him doubting himself. Uska bahut bada asar pada. Jab senapati girta hai na, acchi acchi senayein dharashayi ho jaati hai."
(Whatever teams play well in IPL, their captain leads from the front. Captain is so vital and I love Rishabh Pant. I think he is the future because he has that attitude. I keep saying, 'the distance from earth to heaven is not a matter of altitude, it's a matter of attitude.' I saw the attitude the first time I saw him play. Many times I felt when he should have come up the order, he came down and when he ought to come down, he promoted himself. He struggled to fit himself and I saw that self-doubt. When the captain of the army falls, the best of them do too."
"BCCI will definitely complete IPL" - Sourav Ganguly
During a recent interview with The India Today, ex-Indian captain Sourav Ganguly expressed optimism about BCCI completing the tournament. At the same time, Ganguly suggested that a seven-day break was needed, with the country being in the middle of a sensitive situation.
"Even where there were so many problems in 2020 and 2021, the IPL was still completed. The BCCI is so efficient that they will certainly complete the IPL. BCCI will definitely complete IPL. It’s a seven-day break, the tournament will be extended by seven days as well if needed."
According to reports, board could resume the tournament on May 15 or 16 and extend it to the 30th.
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