In an unexpected twist during Match 40 of the IPL 2025 between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals, skipper Rishabh Pant was sent in to bat at No. 7, a position he hasn’t taken since his debut IPL season in 2016. 

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The move didn’t go unnoticed and certainly didn’t sit well with the former India captain Anil Kumble who weighed in on the decision during the post-match show on Star Sports.

“It's alright if you want to come in under less pressure, but this was way too late. The kind of frustration Rishabh is showing is evident that he was wronged,” Kumble said.

“He probably wanted to bat higher. Was it his decision? Or was it coach Justin Langer's? Or maybe mentor Zaheer Khan's? Whose decision was it?”

Television cameras caught Pant in a seemingly heated exchange with Zaheer Khan before walking out to bat. His early dismissal added to the drama and Kumble wasn’t the only one left puzzled.

“He is the captain. He has to take it in a positive way. Whatever frustration or anger he has, he should translate that into a positive performance,” Kumble added.

When asked about the unusual batting order LSG captain Pant tried to keep it diplomatic saying it was part of a tactical plan.

"The idea was to capitalize on a wicket like that. After that, Miller came in and we were stuck too. We need to figure these things out and try to find the best combination going forward. We haven't thought about it as of now, we need to regroup, just got to play the next game fresh," he told the broadcasters post-match.