Rishabh Pant’s “master plan” didn’t go unnoticed, as fans on social media quickly picked up on the strategy that led the Lucknow Super Giants to their second straight win of the season. During Tuesday’s IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, Pant stirred a sense of déjà vu with his tactics.
Nicholas Pooran’s explosive knock at Eden Gardens powered Lucknow to a massive total of 239 runs, as the West Indies batter smashed an unbeaten 87 off just 36 balls. However, the chase didn’t look out of reach for Kolkata, who gained momentum with a fiery 73-run partnership for the third wicket between Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer.
Rishabh Pant’s Smart Tactics Spark Online Buzz
After 12 overs, Kolkata stood at 149 for two, leaving them with 90 to score from the remaining 48 balls. Lucknow were running out of ideas, with Rahane and Iyer showing no mercy to any bowler. But the breakthrough came at the end of the 13th over, with Shardul Thakur dismissing Rahane in an over where he bowled 11 deliveries, owing to five consecutive wides.
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KKR eventually lost half their sides at strategic time-out, with LSG picking a wicket in each of the three overs that followed, leaving the asking rate to surge over 13 once again for the hosts.
Taking to social media, fans speculated the break in momentum from KKR was down to Pant’s act at the start of the 13th over. He was suddenly experiencing some back pain, leaving the LSG dugout nervous as the physio was called. Pant received treatment on the field, causing some delay in the game, before he decided to continue playing.
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