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In a season where hope flickered and faded for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Rishabh Pant delivered a thunderous reminder of his brilliance in the final league match of IPL 2025. The LSG skipper, under immense pressure after a string of underwhelming performances, unleashed a breathtaking unbeaten 118 off 61 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Ekana Stadium. Owner Sanjiv Goenka, who had stood by Pant through the lows, summed up the sentiment of millions with a single, viral word on social media.
Rishabh Pant’s night of redemption with the willow in IPL 2025
Pant’s journey through IPL 2025 had been anything but smooth. Having been acquired for a record ₹27 crore, expectations were sky-high, but the left-hander struggled for rhythm, managing just 151 runs in 13 matches before this final league clash. Yet, on May 27, Pant rewrote the script. Walking in at No. 3, he immediately set the tone, smashing Yash Dayal for 18 runs in the fourth over. His innings was a blend of audacious power and elegant timing, featuring 11 boundaries and 8 sixes, as he powered LSG to their highest-ever IPL total of 227/3.
The turning point of the innings was Pant’s partnership with Mitchell Marsh. Together, they stitched a 152-run stand for the second wicket, dismantling the RCB bowling attack and giving the Lucknow crowd a night to remember. Marsh, too, capped off a dream season with a brisk 67, but it was Pant’s relentless assault—culminating in a stylish somersault celebration after reaching his century—that stole the show.
'Pant'astic! 👏🏻 #LSGvsRCB pic.twitter.com/d83M19sKP8
— Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) May 27, 2025
Also READ: From Sai Sudharsan to Suryakumar Yadav: Best XI of the IPL 2025 league stage
Sanjiv Goenka’s reaction to Pant’s spectacular innings
Goenka’s reaction was as succinct as it was powerful. Sharing photos of Pant’s iconic backflip celebration, he posted “Pantastic!” with a clapping emoji, a gesture that quickly set social media abuzz. Goenka’s unwavering support for Pant—even during the team’s playoff exit—was vindicated in this moment of redemption. The LSG owner had been a constant presence throughout the campaign, often seen encouraging Pant during tough times.
Pant’s innings was not just a personal milestone—his first IPL hundred after six years—but also a beacon of hope for LSG’s future. Despite the team falling short in the playoffs race, Pant’s return to form offers a silver lining and renewed optimism for IPL 2026. His knock, played at a strike rate near 200, reminded fans and critics alike of his match-winning abilities and leadership under pressure.
Also READ: Fans go wild as Jitesh Sharma’s fireworks guide RCB to Qualifier 1 in historic run chase against LSG
