India, April 2 -- It has been an unusual season for Rishabh Pant. After sharing the joy of India's Champions Trophy success but not getting to play a role on the pitch, the wicketkeeper's IPL has got off to a subdued start.

With the bat, Pant was dismissed for nought in the loss to Delhi Capitals, the team he left to take over as Lucknow Super Giants skipper after being the biggest buy in the player auction, 15 in the win over Sunrisers Hyderabad and two in Tuesday's loss to Punjab Kings.

After the defeat to PBKS, Pant acknowledged that the tactic to cash in on home advantage had not worked. Pant said: "The idea was to get a slower wicket. We felt it is a home game; and it's going to stop a little bit. I think the slower ones, when bowl...