After two consecutive playoff appearances, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered IPL 2025 with high expectations—and an even higher investment. The franchise made waves by acquiring Rishabh Pant for a record INR 27 crore, handing him the captaincy and anchoring their campaign around his leadership. But what followed was a season filled with inconsistency, underperformance, and frustration.

LSG Worst Players in IPL 2025：Lucknow’s Super Slump

LSG finished 7th on the table, managing only 6 wins in 14 matches, missing the playoffs by a fair margin. Injuries to key bowlers and a lack of middle-order firepower compounded their woes. And while a few players had flashes of form, the overall effort fell short of what the management and fans had envisioned. In this article, we take a closer look at the LSG worst players in IPL 2025 those who didn’t live up to expectations, whether due to form, fitness, or failure to fit into the team’s plans.

1. Rishabh Pant – Record Price, Forgettable Season

LSG’s marquee signing and captain, Rishabh Pant, was expected to lead with the bat and behind the stumps. However, his 269 runs in 14 matches came at a modest average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.17—far below expectations. While he ended the season on a high with a brilliant 118 in the final league match*, it came in a game that had no playoff implications.

Rishabh Pant’s Batting in IPL 2025

Pant’s poor shot selection and six single-digit scores in 11 innings made him a liability during crucial chases and rebuilds. Moreover, his captaincy came under fire for frequent changes in the batting order and a lack of clarity in team strategy. Given the INR 27 crore price tag, his season falls well short of the mark, earning him the unfortunate distinction of one of the LSG worst buys in IPL 2025, and undeniably among their most disappointing performers.

2. Ravi Bishnoi – Wickets Without Control

As a retained player and lead spinner, much was expected from Ravi Bishnoi. While he did pick up 9 wickets in 11 matches, his economy rate of 10.84 became a major concern.

Ravi Bishnoi’s Bowling in IPL 2025

Known for his sharp googlies and middle-over control, Bishnoi struggled to contain runs and build pressure. His spells were often targeted by opposing batters, especially on flat wickets. Though not entirely ineffective, the lack of consistency and control places him among LSG’s underwhelming contributors this season.

3. David Miller – Middle-Order Missing Link

Veteran finisher David Miller was signed to add power and composure in the middle order. But in 11 innings, he scored only 153 runs at a strike rate of 127.50, failing to make any significant impact.

David Miller’s Batting in IPL 2025

Miller’s job was to either stabilize a collapsing inning or launch in the final overs, but neither role saw him consistently deliver. With no innings of note beyond a couple of 30s, his output was well below par for someone expected to close games. Given his experience, he now finds himself among the LSG worst players in IPL 2025.

4. Shardul Thakur – Leaky Economy, Low Impact

Shardul Thakur played 10 matches, taking 13 wickets, which at first glance looks respectable. But the story lies in his economy rate of 11.03, which frequently allowed opposition batters to wrest control. His bowling lacked discipline, particularly in the death overs.

Shardul Thakur’s Bowling in IPL 2025

Shardul Thakur’s Batting in IPL 2025

With the bat, Thakur managed only 18 runs, offering little as a lower-order option. Despite some standout games including a 4-wicket haul—his overall lack of consistency with the ball and negligible batting output saw him underperform. As an experienced Indian all-rounder, more was expected, and his campaign lands him among LSG’s underwhelming signings in 2025.

5. Aiden Markram – Stats Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Aiden Markram had one of the more puzzling seasons. On paper, his 445 runs in 13 innings, with a strike rate of 148.83 and average of 34.23, appear solid. But most of those runs came in scattered innings, and his impact in must-win matches was minimal.

Aiden Markram’s Batting in IPL 2025

Part of the inconsistent middle order, Markram couldn’t convert good starts into match-winning totals. His inability to hold innings together when early wickets fell added to LSG’s batting issues. While he may not be among the LSG worst players in IPL 2025 on stats alone, his influence didn’t match his numbers or his potential.

Final Thoughts

LSG’s 2025 campaign was a cautionary tale in T20 cricket: big names and big money don’t always translate into big wins. Players like Rishabh Pant, David Miller, and Shardul Thakur under delivered in key roles, while others like Bishnoi and Markram failed to step up when it mattered most and so they are the LSG Worst Players In IPL 2025.

Every wicket, every celebration, worth it all 💙 pic.twitter.com/659uMOsStB

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) June 3, 2025

For a team with playoff ambitions and significant financial backing, these underwhelming returns highlight why LSG found themselves outside the top four. Among them, Pant’s underperformance, given his role and price, stands out as one of the LSG worst buys in IPL 2025. With a solid core and plenty of potential, Lucknow still has the ingredients for success. But as they look ahead to IPL 2026, recalibrating their strategy around form over reputation might be the lesson that brings them back into contention.