“Focus Should Be on Execution, Not Luck”: Rishabh Pant Owns Up After Missed Stumping Costs LSG the Match vs DC

Rishabh Pant’s captaincy stint with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hit a rough patch as his costly blunder behind the stumps allowed Delhi Capitals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. In a dramatic final over, Pant missed a golden opportunity to dismiss Mohit Sharma—one that could’ve sealed the game for LSG.

It all came down to Shahbaz Ahmed’s well-flighted delivery, which completely deceived Mohit. The batter was yards out of his crease, but Pant, unable to collect the ball cleanly, fluffed the chance. That one mistake proved crucial. Mohit survived, took a single, and on the next ball, Ashutosh Sharma launched a towering six to seal a one-wicket win for Delhi.

Speaking after the match, Pant reflected on the heartbreaking loss and his pivotal miss. “Yes, luck plays a part, but it’s more important to stick to the fundamentals and play solid cricket,” he said. “We had a good total, bowled decently too, but slipped on the basics. That’s where games are won and lost.”

He also reminded fans and critics that the season has just begun. “It’s early days. We’re still building rhythm as a unit,” he added, maintaining a composed outlook despite the pressure.

LSG had every reason to feel confident earlier in the evening. Batting first, they put up a formidable 209/8, thanks to powerful half-centuries from Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh. Their solid partnership laid the foundation for what looked like a match-winning total. Kuldeep Yadav, however, stood out for DC with the ball, delivering a tight spell of 2/20 and keeping LSG’s run flow in check at crucial moments.

When Delhi came out to bat, they crumbled early, losing three wickets for just eight runs. The game seemed out of reach until Ashutosh Sharma stepped in and played one of the most memorable innings in recent IPL memory. His unbeaten 66 off just 31 deliveries, peppered with five boundaries and five sixes, completely turned the tide.

Despite the setback, Pant’s response showed leadership maturity. Rather than placing blame on conditions or fortune, he acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and his own. LSG may have let this one slip, but with a long tournament ahead, there’s still plenty of room to bounce back—provided they tighten up the basics.