Zaheer Khan says LSG will back skipper Pant despite lean patch; criticises home pitch after loss to Punjab Kings
April 03, 2025: Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor Zaheer Khan defended under-fire captain Rishabh Pant, who has scored just 17 runs in his first three outings since joining the franchise for a record Rs 27 crore ahead of IPL 2025. Speaking after LSG’s heavy defeat to Punjab Kings, Zaheer emphasized backing Pant as captain while also criticizing the Lucknow pitch.
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“He is our captain. Everyone has expectations from him… the way he has done well as a captain, he will also contribute as a player,” said Zaheer in the post-match press conference.
Pant, who moved from Delhi Capitals in a high-profile trade, is yet to fire with the bat as LSG slipped to sixth on the points table after three games.
Zaheer’s Pitch Critique and Fan Disappointment
Zaheer did not mince words when speaking about the pitch at Ekana Stadium, suggesting it seemed to favour the opposition more.
“It looked like the Punjab curator was out here,” he remarked. “You are disappointing the Lucknow fans.”
The Lucknow surface, offering variable bounce and grip, saw PBKS chase down a 172-run target with ease, thanks to Prabhsimran Singh’s 69 off 34.
Focus Remains on Process, Not Results
Despite the early setback, Zaheer reaffirmed LSG’s commitment to a process-driven approach.
“We are not a result-oriented setup… We will focus on the positives and do the work needed.”
He added that the loss was disappointing, especially being the first home match of the season, but the team was determined to bounce back in the remaining home games.
Zaheer On Team Morale and Outlook
Addressing concerns about injuries and inconsistency, Zaheer noted that LSG had taken the most wickets so far in the tournament, signaling strong intent and belief within the squad.
“This team has shown it has the mindset to fight. We will give it our all for our fans.”
With six home games remaining, Zaheer promised a more spirited comeback as LSG looks to climb the IPL 2025 table.
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