Rishabh Pant Highlights MS Dhoni's Influence Following LSG's Triumph
Lucknow, India – March 28, 2025 – Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant has publicly acknowledged the continued mentorship of former Indian captain MS Dhoni, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure and focusing on controllable factors following his team’s five-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing IPL 2025.
Match Summary and Key Performances
The victory was crucial for Lucknow, who had suffered a narrow defeat in their opening match against the Delhi Capitals. The game saw a stellar performance from Shardul Thakur, who claimed a four-wicket haul, restricting Hyderabad to a total of 190/9. Nicholas Pooran then delivered a blistering innings of 70 runs off just 26 balls, featuring six boundaries (four fours and six sixes), alongside a valuable contribution from Mitchell Marsh (52 off 31). This partnership of 116 runs for the second wicket proved decisive in chasing down the target.
Pant's Focus on Controllables
Speaking after the match, Pant stated, “It is about keeping one’s feet on the ground despite emphatic wins. As a team, we talk about the process. We can’t focus on uncontrolables; my mentor said to focus on controllables, and that is what I did.” This comment clearly references advice received from MS Dhoni, known for his calm and pragmatic approach to the game.
Breakdown of Key Moments:
- Shardul Thakur's Bowling: Thakur’s four-wicket haul proved instrumental in limiting Hyderabad’s scoring.
- Nicholas Pooran's Power Hitting: Pooran’s aggressive batting provided the impetus for the chase.
- Mitchell Marsh's Support: Marsh's steady innings provided a platform for Pooran to launch his attack.
Team Strategy and Player Freedom
Pant also highlighted the team's approach to player roles, stating, “Good to see the way Prince bowled, and also, Thakur was really good. I think we just want to give him (Pooran) the freedom. You’ve got to give someone the charge when he is batting well, and he has batted brilliantly for us.” This suggests a deliberate strategy of empowering players to express themselves and take risks when in form.
Current Standings
With this victory, Lucknow Super Giants now occupy the second position on the IPL 2025 points table, boasting two points from two matches and a net run rate of 0.96.
FAQs
- Who is Rishabh Pant's mentor? Rishabh Pant has consistently acknowledged MS Dhoni as his mentor.
- What was Shardul Thakur's bowling figures? Shardul Thakur took 4 wickets for 34 runs.
- What was Nicholas Pooran's score? Nicholas Pooran scored 70 runs off 26 balls.
- What is Lucknow Super Giants' current position in the IPL 2025 points table? They are currently in second place.