Follow UsRishabh Pant’s INR 27 crore move to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hasn’t really been fruitful up until now, as the left-hander has scores of 0, 15 & 2 across his last three IPL appearances. Not only that, but his decision-making as a captain too has come under the scanner, as the franchise has lost two matches across three games.
However, Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla begs to differ, with the opinion that it is not the ‘price tag’ that has been affecting Pant’s form.
"Knowing Rishabh Pant, I don't think it's the price tag that's affecting him,” Chawla told JioHotstar.
So, what’s affecting Pant, then? Chawla believes Pant’s position in the Indian team has dripped down into his IPL form and has been affecting him.
“He has been out of the Indian white-ball circuit, and coming into this tournament as the captain of a franchise, there were high expectations of him - A lot happened last year, and naturally, a lot was expected from him this season," Chawla added.
In LSG’s third IPL game of the season against Punjab Kings, the left-hander got out yet again to Glenn Maxwell after hitting the ball straight into the hands of the short fine-leg fielder, carrying on his dismal form.
"Unfortunately, both his team's campaign and his personal form haven't started well. His dismissal today was particularly disappointing - it was a ball that could have been put away anywhere, yet he found the fielder at short fine leg.”
“His reaction afterwards that knowing smile, suggested he is aware he's going through a rough patch where things just aren't going his way," added Chawla.
Lucknow's next clash is against Mumbai Indians on April 4 (Friday) in Lucknow.