Jaffer: Pant 'Needs to Get Better at Rotating Strike' Despite Signs of Return to Form

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant may have shown encouraging signs of returning to form with a 49-ball 63 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes there's still work to be done—particularly when it comes to strike rotation.

Pant, who had managed just 40 runs off 50 balls across five innings prior to this game, finally found some rhythm on Monday. Walking in at No. 4 after the early loss of wickets, he got off to a brisk start, reaching 27 off just 16 balls. However, the momentum faded as he slowed down considerably in the middle overs. At one point, he had crawled to 38 off 38 deliveries.

He struggled especially against CSK spinner Noor Ahmad, managing just six runs from the 15 deliveries he faced from him—ten of which were dot balls. Overall, Pant's innings featured 21 dot balls. By comparison, Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 62 off 45 balls against Rajasthan Royals just a day earlier included only nine dots.

Pant’s dot-ball percentage for IPL 2025 now stands at a worrying 48.48—the worst among batters who have faced at least 50 deliveries this season. As a result, his strike rate has dipped to just 104.04, well below his usual standards.

"He needs to get better at rotating strike" – Jaffer

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut, Wasim Jaffer addressed Pant’s inability to rotate strike and how it adds pressure to his innings.

“I don't know whether he looks to do that [rotate strike],” Jaffer said. “Kohli is a master at that. He gets off strike so nicely because he can play all around. But Pant sometimes does get stuck, and that's the issue. Then he goes for that big shot. I just feel he needs to get better at rotating strike as well.”

Jaffer also pointed out Pant’s predictable shot selection and his over-reliance on the leg side, especially when facing both spinners and pacers.

“I feel he never looks to hit straight,” he added. “He always looks to go towards the leg side—square leg, cow corner. He hit one straight six right towards the end, otherwise, from the start of the innings, he was always looking to go leg side or play that reverse scoop. Teams pick up on that and stack fielders in that area. He needs to access down the ground a lot more.”

Mukund: “Pant is better when he’s moving around”

Abhinav Mukund, who joined Jaffer on the panel, added that Pant looks more dangerous when he is proactive and moving at the crease, rather than remaining static.

“I still feel Pant has so much to offer when he is moving around, contrary to what you hear a lot of commentators and players saying—that he needs to stay still and hit,” Mukund said. “I like Pant when he is moving around. It feels like he is more proactive, accessing over cover, accessing straight. But today, that cover area looked closed for business for him, and that’s a bit concerning.”

What’s Next for Pant?

While Pant’s half-century was a much-needed boost for both himself and LSG, his team still ended up on the losing side as CSK chased down 167 with five wickets in hand. With pressure mounting mid-season, LSG will hope Pant can build on this knock—by not just finding boundaries, but also finding ways to keep the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs.

Pant’s next test will be against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, and all eyes will be on whether he adjusts his approach as the playoff race intensifies.