Rishabh Pant, captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has been fined INR 24 lakh after his side was penalized for maintaining a slow over-rate during their IPL 2025 clash against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium. The match, held under grueling Mumbai heat, saw LSG struggle both with the ball and the bat, culminating in a decisive 54-run defeat.
According to the IPL Code of Conduct, the second slow over-rate offence carries severe financial penalties. Consequently, Rishabh Pant was fined INR 24 lakh, while the rest of the playing XI, including the Impact Player, were fined either INR 6 lakh or 25% of their respective match fees, whichever was lower.
A Challenging Season for Rishabh Pant Continues
Pant’s season woes deepened with another disappointing performance, as he was dismissed for just 4 runs off 2 balls. His form throughout IPL 2025 has been underwhelming, managing only 110 runs across nine innings at a strike rate of 98.21 — figures well below expectations for the seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman.
LSG, opting to bowl first, conceded a hefty 215 runs in 20 overs. Despite a spirited chase attempt, the team collapsed for 161, exposing persistent issues in both batting resilience and bowling discipline.
Growing List of Penalized Players for Slow Over-Rate
Rishabh Pant joins a growing list of IPL captains and senior players penalized for slow over-rate offences this season. Other high-profile names include:
- Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)
- Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals)
- Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals)
- Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
- Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals)
- Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)
Notably, IPL 2025 regulations have shifted from previous seasons by abolishing automatic match bans for repeat offenders. Instead, captains now incur demerit points, fines, and in-game penalties to maintain accountability without jeopardizing team continuity.
Mumbai Indians Surge as Lucknow Super Giants Stall
Mumbai Indians, buoyed by commanding performances from Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, secured their fifth consecutive victory, temporarily climbing to second place with 12 points. In contrast, LSG remained static at ten points, having suffered their fifth loss in ten games, placing increased pressure on their playoff aspirations.
The match witnessed Suryakumar’s brilliance dismantling spin attacks, and Bumrah’s clinical death bowling further strangled LSG’s chase efforts. Mayank Yadav’s return from injury offered little solace for LSG, as his pace appeared diminished compared to earlier outings.
Upcoming Fixtures: Crucial Battles Ahead
The road ahead for both franchises is critical as the tournament approaches its decisive phase. The upcoming matches are:
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):
- vs Punjab Kings (May 4)
- vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (May 9)
- vs Gujarat Titans (May 14)
Mumbai Indians (MI):
- vs Rajasthan Royals (May 1)
- vs Gujarat Titans (May 6)
- vs Punjab Kings (May 11)
For LSG, every game now assumes must-win status, whereas MI will look to sustain their winning momentum and secure a top-two finish.
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Conclusion
The latest sanction against Rishabh Pant underscores the IPL’s firm stance on maintaining match pace standards in IPL 2025. With critical fixtures ahead, both LSG and Rishabh Pant must address internal inefficiencies swiftly if they hope to salvage their campaign. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians continue to assert their dominance, setting a high benchmark as the tournament intensifies.
