“Call MS Dhoni..”: Sehwag’s Blunt Advice to Struggling Rishabh Pant, Shaun Pollock Questions His Mental State
"Call MS Dhoni..": Sehwag's Blunt Advice to Struggling Rishabh Pant, Shaun Pollock Questions His Mental State
May 5, 2025: Rishabh Pant’s disappointing run in the 2025 Indian Premier League has left fans and cricket pundits concerned, as the Lucknow Super Giants captain continues to struggle with the bat. With just 128 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 99.22, this marks Pant’s worst-ever IPL season since his debut in 2016.
Pant’s poor performance was further highlighted in Lucknow’s recent 37-run loss to Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, where he managed only 18 runs off 17 balls. The slump comes despite the franchise’s massive INR 27 crore investment in him at the mega auction last year in Jeddah.
India legend Virender Sehwag offered candid advice, urging Pant to revisit his old batting clips and reflect on what may have changed in his preparation or mindset.
“Rishabh Pant should watch his old IPL clips where he scored runs, and that will give him confidence… This Rishabh Pant is totally different from the one we saw before his injury,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
Sehwag recalled a similar phase in his own career and emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent routines. He also suggested Pant reach out to MS Dhoni, his long-time idol.
“If you feel you are thinking negatively… call someone. Dhoni is his role model, so he should call him. It will lighten him up,” Sehwag added.
Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock also chimed in during a Cricbuzz discussion, exploring the idea that Pant might be missing the familiar camaraderie of Indian teammates in the LSG squad.
“He’s surrounded by four international players… He doesn’t have a mate. Is there someone with whom he connects and who brings out that jovial side in him? He is not his normal self,” Pollock speculated.
Pant’s form has become a major concern not just for LSG, but also for India’s selectors, with the T20 World Cup approaching. With only a few league matches remaining, the spotlight will remain firmly on the 26-year-old as he looks to rediscover his rhythm.
