IPL 2025: Gavaskar Backs Pant Despite Lucknow's Defeat To Delhi

Following Lucknow Super Giants' defeat to Delhi Capitals on Monday, Indian cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar backed Rishabh Pant to make a strong comeback.

The Giants lost a last over thriller by one wicket to the Capitals on Monday.

Pant (0) flopped with the bat, but the Giants made 209 for eight on the back of sparkling half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh (72 off 36 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (75 off 30 balls).

In reply, Delhi were in all sorts of trouble at 65 for five, but Ashutosh Sharma (66 not out off 31 balls) earned an incredible victory for the team with a magnificent knock.

Despite Lucknow's defeat in Pant's first match as captain, Gavaskar backed the Indian wicketkeeper-batter.

"When you bat well, there's not much to reflect upon, but when you don't perform with the bat or ball, you understand the areas that need improvement," he said.

Gavaskar said Pant would have valuable insights about his batting and expects his captaincy to become even more assured.

"I think he knows. He actually mentioned in the post-match interview that you often learn more from your mistakes than from your successes," Gavaskar said.

"When you bat well, there's not much to reflect upon, but when you don't perform with the bat or ball, you understand the areas that need improvement.

"This is just the first match, and there are 13 more to go. Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer, and he will have picked up valuable insights regarding his batting and captaincy. I believe we will see him improve his performance.

"Additionally, when a captain scores runs or takes wickets, it significantly boosts their confidence in making bowling changes and setting the field. Once he gets some runs under his belt, I expect his captaincy to become even more assured."

MENAFN25032025000049011007ID1109355949