Lucknow Super Giants’ skipper Rishabh Pant had a tough run throughout the IPL 2025 season, struggling with form and consistency. However, he turned things around in dramatic fashion during LSG’s final league match of the season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With his team needing a strong finish, Pant delivered a masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 118 — his second career IPL century and first since 2018.
Interestingly, Goenka wasn’t present at the Ekana Stadium during the game, but he didn’t stay silent after witnessing Pant's explosive knock. Soon after the century, he took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), posting a one-word reaction along with celebratory photos of Pant’s signature somersault: "Pant’astic!"
Across his first 12 innings, Pant could only manage 151 runs, scoring at a modest strike rate of 107.09. His repeated failures didn’t go unnoticed, especially with visuals of franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka often seen looking visibly frustrated after each dismissal – moments that quickly went viral on social media.
Pant's century goes in vain as RCB beats LSG
From the very first ball, Pant looked confident and in control, quickly shifting into aggressive mode. He formed a massive 152-run partnership for the second wicket with Mitchell Marsh, taking the attack to the opposition. Marsh, who blazed his way to 67 off 37 balls was dismissed b y Bhuvneshwar Kumar eventually removed Marsh, Pant kept the momentum going, finishing with a strike rate close to 200 as LSG put up a daunting total of 227/3 in their 20 overs.
In reply, RCB began strongly with Virat Kohli once again leading from the front. The former India captain crafted a classy 54 off 30 balls, laced with 10 boundaries, setting the tone for the chase. But it was Jitesh Sharma who stole the show with a match-winning knock of 85 runs off just 33 balls, . His fearless hitting dismantled the LSG bowling attack and swung the momentum decisively in RCB’s favor. RCB reached 230/4 in just 18.4 overs, delivering a powerful statement ahead of the playoffs.
