India, April 28 -- Despite becoming the most expensive player in the history of the IPL after he received INR 27 crore from Lucknow Super Giants in the 2025 auction, Rishabh Pant has had a tough life to start at the helm of his new franchise. In 10 matches, Pant has only scored 110 runs, averaging 12.22 at a strike rate of just 98.

The criticism of Pant has come thick and fast, especially after he fell off just his second delivery against Mumbai Indians with an awkward reverse-sweep that went straight to a fielder. With the weight of captaincy at a new franchise also on his shoulders, Pant has been under pressure, but received backing from Zaheer Khan, who serves as mentor in the LSG camp,

"I wouldn't relate it to anything like that. He...