Rishabh Pant Shines with Half-Century Against CSK in IPL Clash

Rishabh Pant's Stellar Performance

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 14: Rishabh Pant, the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), showcased his batting prowess against the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by scoring a crucial half-century during their match on Monday.

After a slow start with only 40 runs in his first five innings as captain, Pant found his rhythm, contributing a significant 63 runs off 49 balls, which included four boundaries and four sixes, achieving a strike rate of 128.57.

In his 12 innings against CSK, Pant has amassed 438 runs at an impressive average of 48.66 and a strike rate of 152.1, including four half-centuries. This performance marks the second-highest runs he has scored against any team in the IPL, trailing only his 551 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Pant was dismissed by Matheesha Pathirana for the third time, having scored 55 runs off 29 balls against him in four innings, with a remarkable strike rate of 189.65 and a boundary percentage of 31.03.

This season, Pant has faced challenges against spin bowlers, managing only 31 runs in 43 balls and getting out twice, while he has fared better against pace, scoring 72 runs off 56 balls.

In the match, CSK chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Apart from a 50-run partnership between Mitchell Marsh (30 runs off 25 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Pant, LSG struggled in the initial phase.

Pant's half-century helped LSG reach a total of 166/7 in their 20 overs, aided by a late 53-run partnership with Abdul Samad (20 runs off 11 balls, including two sixes).

Ravindra Jadeja (2/24) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/45) were the standout bowlers for CSK.