IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant's stumping error cost LSG match against DC, wicketkeeper says 'these things happen in cricket'

IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant's stumping error cost Lucknow Super Giants match against Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant didn't have the best of start with new franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the ongoing IPL 2025. His side endured a tough one-wicket defeat against Pant's former team Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

Pant first failed to open his account and lost his wicket, which derailed Lucknow's momentum after the onslaught by Nicholas Pooran (75 off 30) and Mitchell Marsh (72 off 36). The duo played explosive knocks and laid a solid platform for Lucknow to capitalise in the death overs, which they failed. Thanks to a brief cameo by David Miller (27* off 19) in the end Lucknow piled 209/8 on the board.

Lucknow carried the momentum when they walked out to defend and reduced Delhi to 65/5 in the seventh over. However, what followed next was next to incredible as two Indian uncapped stars - Ashutosh Sharma (66* off 31) and Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15) - led Delhi to victory with some assist from Proteas star Tristan Stubbs, who contributed with a healthy 34 off 22 balls.

Also Read: Ashutosh Sharma scripts famous Delhi Capitals win over Lucknow Super Giants in incredible chase

However, LSG could have won the match in the final over itself when Delhi were six behind the 210-target. With Delhi batting at 204/9, Mohit Sharma stepped down the crease against Shahbaz Ahmed, missed the line and the ball went on to strike on his pad. It was not a difficult chance but Pant missed the opportunity to stump Mohit, following which the LSG skipper used the DRS for LBW. The review showed that the ball would miss the stumps, giving Delhi a breather.

Mohit then rotated the strike in the next ball, which again could have been tight if Ayush Badoni had collected the ball and took a hit at the stumps. The third ball was then dispatched downtown by Ashutosh to clinch the match in some style.

Pant was asked about the missed opportunity that played a major role in deciding the outcome of the match, to which the southpaw said it is a common occurrence in a game of cricket and the unit need to play better cricket.

"Definitely, luck plays a part in this game, and if it could have missed his (Mohit Sharma's) pads, it was a chance for stumping. But these things happen in the game of cricket. You can't focus on these things, but rather, you need to play better cricket," Pant said in the post-match presentation.