In a dramatic and closely fought Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match on Sunday evening, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off a remarkable victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), chasing down a competitive target of 187 with just five balls to spare. While Punjab’s aggressive batting and calm execution under pressure were widely praised, it was LSG’s fielding blunders, particularly two dropped catches, that drew sharp criticism — not just from fans and analysts, but also from Delhi Capitals’ captain Rishabh Pant, who was providing live commentary during the match.
Pant’s remark — “They seriously injured us” — was directed at LSG’s costly fielding errors that turned the tide in Punjab’s favor. His candid analysis immediately went viral on social media and was seen as a brutally honest reflection of how fine margins can decide the outcome in T20 cricket.
Turning Points: Dropped Catches of Dhawan and Livingstone
The first major moment came in the 6th over of Punjab’s innings when Shikhar Dhawan, batting on just 12, offered a regulation catch at deep midwicket — only to be dropped by Ayush Badoni. Dhawan went on to score a steady 45 off 33 balls, anchoring the chase and ensuring PBKS didn’t lose early wickets.
But the more damaging drop came later. Liam Livingstone, one of Punjab’s most explosive batters, was dropped on 22 by Deepak Hooda at long-off. The England international made LSG pay heavily, hammering a match-winning 68 off just 34 balls, with five sixes and four boundaries. His innings snatched the momentum away from Lucknow and left their bowlers scrambling for answers.
“Those two chances were decisive. In this format, especially at this level, you can’t afford such lapses,” Pant commented during the post-match analysis. “T20 is brutal — you give someone like Livingstone a second life, and he will kill the game.”
Rishabh Pant’s Analyst Role and Sharp Observations
Although not involved in the match as a player, Rishabh Pant, who has returned to cricket in IPL 2025 following a long injury layoff, has been doing occasional commentary and analysis during matches not involving his team. Known for his on-field aggression and off-field honesty, Pant didn’t mince words while pointing out LSG’s lack of sharpness on the field.
His remarks resonated not only with viewers but also with several cricket experts, who echoed his views on social platforms and sports panels.
LSG’s Captain KL Rahul Also Acknowledges Fielding Woes
In the post-match press conference, LSG skipper KL Rahul acknowledged the role fielding played in the defeat.
“We were about 10–15 runs short and missed two key chances that could’ve changed the game. You drop senior players like Dhawan and Livingstone, they will capitalize. We have to take this as a learning before the playoffs,” Rahul said.
Lucknow had posted a solid 187/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a brisk 64 from Marcus Stoinis and a late flourish by Nicholas Pooran. But it wasn’t enough on a flat Wankhede pitch, where Punjab’s middle order fired at the right time.
Playoff Implications
This loss puts LSG’s playoff hopes in a more precarious position. With the points table tightening up, fielding — often a neglected aspect in T20 discussions — could be the deciding factor for several teams in their final push.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, move up in the standings with the win and now look like serious playoff contenders. Livingstone was named Player of the Match for his game-changing innings.
Final Thoughts
As Rishabh Pant rightly noted, fielding isn’t just about effort — it’s about execution under pressure. LSG’s missed chances not only cost them two valuable points but may also come back to haunt them as the league stage winds down. In the ultra-competitive world of IPL, there’s no room for errors — and this match proved just that.
