Rishabh Pant is having one of the worst seasons with the bat by an IPL captain
Lucknow Super Giants have had a disappointing season in the Indian Premier League. They started in cracking form with five wins from their first eight games and they looked like a guarantee for the play-offs.
But their top order, led by Nicholas Pooran, lost its way, while notably, skipper Rishabh Pant never got going.
Indeed, 2025 has been a thoroughly forgettable season for Pant, who boasts a season’s best batting average of 52.61 in 2018. Last season he averaged 40.54. This season, however, he is barely into double figures.
Let’s take a look to see where he sits in terms of lowest batting averages in a season by an IPL captain.
4. Shane Warne (Rajasthan Royals, 2009) – 108 runs from 11 innings | Average: 13.50
Warne will always be remembered as the inspirational leader who guided Rajasthan Royals to the inaugural IPL title in 2008. But his personal performances with the bat were never central to the team’s success.
He certainly wasn’t signed as a batsman with wickets and leadership the primary arrows in his quiver. In 2009, Warne endured a rough season with the bat, managing only 108 runs in 11 innings.
His average of 13.5 is poor but given his primary role as a leg-spinner and mentor, it was never a major concern for the team. Nonetheless, he occupies a place on this list due to sheer statistical underperformance.
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3. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants, 2025) – 135 runs from 12 innings | Average: 12.27
This year has been uncharacteristically woeful for Pant. Renowned for his explosive hitting, innovation and match-winning capabilities, his output this season has been stunningly low.
With a top score in the 30s and multiple single-digit dismissals, Pant has struggled to find both rhythm and timing. His average of 12.27 represents a drastic drop from his usual high levels. LSG’s slide down the table coincided directly with his lack of runs, which proved costly in tight games.
For a player of his pedigree, this season has been a real anomaly – and a concern going forward.
2. Harbhajan Singh (Mumbai Indians, 2012) – 108 runs from 12 innings | Average: 12.00
Primarily known for his off-spin and aggressive attitude on the field, Harbhajan was never expected to pile on the runs. Still, his stint as MI’s captain in 2012 came during a year where expectations were high.
Unfortunately, his returns with the bat were negligible. An average of 12.00 from 12 innings is a telling stat, especially given how deep he often batted in the lineup. While MI still remained competitive, Harbhajan’s form didn’t inspire confidence, and his captaincy stint was short-lived.
1. Eoin Morgan (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2021) – 133 runs from 16 innings | Average: 11.08
Despite leading KKR to the final in 2021, Morgan’s own form with the bat was disastrous. The Englishman scored just 133 runs across 16 innings, finishing with a miserable average of 11.08. Even more striking was his lack of impact — he was often dismissed cheaply in pressure situations.
His inability to contribute runs meant KKR were overly reliant on others like Venkatesh Iyer and Rahul Tripathi. Morgan’s season remains the statistical benchmark for poor batting output by a captain in a single IPL cricket season.