Rishabh Pant not the only one! Here are big-money players flopping at IPL 2025

Rishabh Pant has been on the receiving end of much of the flak after his consistently poor run at the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper has led well, but with the bat, he has been a major letdown. In fact, his poor form even forced him and the management to push him as late as number seven in one of the latest LSG matches.

Signed at a whopping Rs 27 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, there are a lot of eyeballs on Pant this season. However, he isn’t the only one. Several other superstars are also earning big bucks but haven’t justified their price tag in the IPL 2025 so far. IPL 2025 has seen some big-name signings struggle to make an impact, despite their hefty price tags. Let’s take a look at the costliest players who haven’t quite delivered yet this season. From inconsistent performances to poor form, these stars have failed to live up to expectations.

Big IPL 2025 players failing to justice price tags

Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 23.75 crore) (KKR)

Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) gamble on Venkatesh Iyer hasn’t quite paid off… yet! They shelled out a whopping INR 23.75 crore to bring him back, but so far, he’s underwhelmed. With just 135 runs in six innings and a strike rate of 139.17, Iyer’s performances have been a mixed bag. One decent knock of 60 aside, he’s struggled to fire consistently. Can he turn it around and justify his price tag, or will KKR’s bold move backfire?

Mohammed Shami (Rs 10 crore) (SRH)

Mohammed Shami was the highest wicket-taker at the IPL from 2019 to 2023. He took 106 wickets at an incredible average of 22.01 in this period. Due to surgery and injuries, Shami missed IPL 2024 before the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) splashed Rs 10 crore for the veteran at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Unfortunately, Shami has massively underperformed. He played an entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025, so the rustiness of coming off a long-term injury hasn’t been an issue. However, what’s concerning has been Shami’s ineffectiveness, especially with the old ball. While other pacers have found the removal of the saliva ban useful, Shami hasn’t been able to translate the same thing with his performances. In 7 games, Shami has taken just 5 wickets at a horrible average of 52.20. His economy of 10.8 has been quite expensive too.

Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 crore) (LSG)

Rishabh Pant’s IPL 2025 campaign has been a massive struggle. Despite being the most expensive player in IPL history with a whopping INR 27 crore price tag, Pant has managed just 106 runs in seven innings for Lucknow Super Giants. His average of 15.14 and strike rate below 100 are horrible stats for a batter, especially of his calibre.

Pant’s white-ball record has always been scrutinised, and it seems the pressure of expectations is getting to him. As LSG’s captain, he’s expected to lead by example, but his body language screams frustration and hesitation. Pant thrives on confidence, but currently, he appears jaded and burdened.

Rishabh Pant at IPL 2025

Match	Score
LSG vs DC	0
LSG vs RR	3
LSG vs CSK	63
LSG vs GT	21
LSG vs KKR	—
LSG vs MI	2
LSG vs PBKS	2
LSG vs SRH	15
LSG vs DC	0

Ishan Kishan (Rs 11.25 crore) (SRH)

It isn’t a surprise that SRH have been utterly poor this season because a second player from their team makes it to this list. Ishan Kishan, who bamboozled everyone with a marvellous hundred to kickstart IPL 2025, has been absolutely ordinary since. Playing in one of the most fearsome batting units, at least on paper, Kishan hasn’t been able to find his best game yet.

In fact, since his maiden IPL hundred against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), he has failed to put even a single score of 20+. In his last six outings, Kishan has scored just 32 runs at a shambolic average of 6.40 and at a strike rate less than 95. No sixes included either. Inconsistencies have been Kishan’s best friend in the IPL and this year, nothing’s changed apart from the team that he represents.

Ishan Kishan’s IPL 2025 stats since his maiden 100

Inns	Runs	HS	Ave	SR	4s	6s
6	32	17	6.40	94.11	3	0