Fans on social media were quick to spot Rishabh Pant’s “master plan” that played a key role in helping Lucknow Super Giants secure their second consecutive win of the season.
Pant’s “Master Plan” Breaks KKR’s Momentum in Lucknow’s IPL 2025 Victory
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant sparked a sense of déjà vu during Tuesday’s IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Fans quickly pointed out the “master plan” behind LSG’s second consecutive win of the season.
Nicholas Pooran’s explosive unbeaten 87 off 36 deliveries set a daunting target of 239 runs for KKR. Despite a strong 73-run third-wicket partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer, KKR’s chase was interrupted by Pant’s strategic move in the 13th over. Pant suddenly complained of back pain, causing a delay as the physio was called. This caused a disruption in KKR’s momentum, with some fans speculating that Pant had “faked” the injury to break KKR’s rhythm, a tactic reminiscent of the T20 World Cup final last year.
After 12 overs, KKR were comfortably placed at 149/2, needing 90 runs from the remaining 48 balls. However, Pant’s move seemed to work, as KKR lost Rahane at the end of the 13th over, following an over bowled by Shardul Thakur that included five wides. Lucknow capitalized on this momentum shift, taking wickets in the next three overs and pushing the required run rate above 13, eventually sealing the win.
-Promoting Samad and Miller over himself.
— Dhruv (@I_m_dhruv_) April 8, 2025
-Going for review when he wasted one in the last ball.
-Injury break 2.0 for slowing the momentum.
-Managing with zero overseas bowler.
Rishabh Pant the captain was top notch in this game. pic.twitter.com/H7KM5mZJDG
Rishabh Pant is so good at the art of slowing the game down with an injury !! We’ve seen that before 😄#KKRvsLSG #KKRvLSG pic.twitter.com/4fEPM14CuX
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) April 8, 2025
Rishabh Pant is so good at the art of slowing the game down with an injury !! We’ve seen that before 😄#KKRvsLSG #KKRvLSG pic.twitter.com/4fEPM14CuX
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) April 8, 2025
Rishabh Pant later admitted to employing a delaying tactic during the World Cup final in Barbados. Speaking to Star Sports months after the win, he recalled, “I was thinking about what to do because the momentum had suddenly shifted in South Africa’s favour. They had scored plenty of runs in 2-3 overs, so I was contemplating when the right moment would come to shift the game back.”
Pant explained how he requested the physio to take their time, even as Rohit Sharma checked on his condition. “When Rohit bhai asked if my knee is fine, I said, ‘Bhaiya, mast acting kar raha tha’ (I was acting all this while). Sometimes, you have to do these types of things in matches. I’m not saying it works every time, but it does work sometimes, and if it works at that kind of a moment, then nothing like it,” Pant added, acknowledging the role of tactics in shifting momentum during crucial moments.
Rishabh Pant addressed injury concern
Looking ahead, Lucknow Super Giants will play their next two matches at home—against Gujarat Titans on Saturday and Chennai Super Kings on Monday.