Rishabh Pant showed lack of trust in Bishnoi in IPL 2025: Irfan
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most competitive and unpredictable T20 leagues in the world. The tournament has seen its fair share of surprises, with players and teams often springing up unexpected performances. However, one aspect that can make or break a team’s chances of success is the trust and faith shown by the captain in his players. Recently, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan made a startling revelation about the lack of trust shown by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant in spinner Ravi Bishnoi during the IPL 2025 season.
According to Irfan, Rishabh Pant’s decision-making and team management skills were called into question when it came to handling Ravi Bishnoi, a talented young spinner who had been acquired by LSG. Bishnoi, who had a base price of ₹2 crore, was eventually released by LSG and was acquired by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a whopping ₹7.2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. This significant increase in his price tag is a testament to his skills and potential as a T20 bowler.
In the IPL 2025 season, Ravi Bishnoi picked up nine wickets in 11 games at an economy rate of 10.83. While these numbers may not seem extraordinary, they are still impressive considering the pressure and competition in the IPL. However, despite his decent performances, Bishnoi was often underutilized and not given the opportunities he deserved by Rishabh Pant. This lack of trust and faith in Bishnoi’s abilities raises questions about Pant’s captaincy and decision-making.
Irfan Pathan, who has played with and against some of the best cricketers in the world, believes that Rishabh Pant’s lack of trust in Ravi Bishnoi was evident in the way he handled the young spinner. “The way Rishabh Pant handled Ravi Bishnoi was not right,” Irfan said in a recent interview. “Bishnoi is a talented bowler, and he deserved more opportunities to showcase his skills.” Irfan’s comments have sparked a debate about Rishabh Pant’s captaincy and his ability to manage his players effectively.
The IPL is a high-pressure tournament where teams need to perform consistently to make it to the playoffs. The margin between victory and defeat is often very small, and the decisions made by the captain can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game. In this context, the trust and faith shown by the captain in his players become even more crucial. If a player feels that he is not being trusted or utilized effectively, it can affect his confidence and overall performance.
Ravi Bishnoi’s case is a classic example of this. Despite his impressive performances, he was not given the opportunities he deserved by Rishabh Pant. This lack of trust can be damaging to a player’s career, especially in a tournament like the IPL where competition is fierce. The fact that Bishnoi was eventually released by LSG and acquired by RR for a much higher price tag suggests that other teams have more faith in his abilities than LSG did.
The IPL 2026 auction saw Ravi Bishnoi being acquired by Rajasthan Royals for ₹7.2 crore, a significant increase from his base price of ₹2 crore. This price tag is a testament to his skills and potential as a T20 bowler. It will be interesting to see how Bishnoi performs for his new team and whether he can justify the faith shown in him by the RR management.
In conclusion, the lack of trust shown by Rishabh Pant in Ravi Bishnoi during the IPL 2025 season raises questions about Pant’s captaincy and decision-making skills. The fact that Bishnoi was underutilized and not given the opportunities he deserved despite his decent performances is a concern. The IPL is a tournament where teams need to perform consistently to succeed, and the trust and faith shown by the captain in his players become even more crucial. As the IPL continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how teams and captains manage their players and make decisions that can make or break their chances of success.