India vs England 2025: Rishabh Pant Averages 13.12 in IPL 2025 — Will His Form Impact the England Tour?
In the world of modern cricket, switching formats has become second nature for many players. However, the transition isn’t always seamless, especially when one is battling an indifferent form. Rishabh Pant, once hailed as India’s X-factor across formats, is currently under the scanner after a forgettable IPL 2025 season. With just 135 runs from 12 matches at an average of 12.27 and a strike rate of 100, the southpaw’s campaign has been anything but promising. His struggles come at a time when India is gearing up for a challenging red-ball tour of England, and the spotlight on Pant has only grown brighter.
He has been hesitating between the wickets, mistimed shots, and an unusual lack of fluency that had previously defined his fearless T20 game. This downturn in rhythm has led to growing debates in cricketing circles over whether Pant’s spot in the Test XI should be guaranteed or earned through performances, not reputation.
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Pant’s uneven comeback raises questions ahead of England series
Pant’s journey since his return to competitive cricket has been a mix of resilience and inconsistency. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, he managed 255 runs in nine innings at an average of 28.33, emerging as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in a series dominated by bowlers. While he couldn’t convert his starts into big scores like he did during the iconic 2020-21 Australia tour, his presence still added depth and unpredictability to India’s batting. Sunil Gavaskar rightly pointed out the contrast between Pant’s performances in the two series, noting that the explosive counter-punches that defined his innings in Sydney and Gabba were missing this time around.
What further complicates matters for Pant is his absence from India’s ODI setup. Despite being fit and available, he didn’t get a single game in the Champions Trophy 2025, spending the entire tournament warming the bench. In contrast, his peers, particularly KL Rahul, continued to cement their places in the Test and limited-overs squads, putting Pant under added pressure to deliver in the upcoming England series.
The exclusion has raised eyebrows, with several former cricketers questioning the selectors’ reluctance to back Pant in white-ball cricket, especially given his proven match-winning capabilities. The decision has not only dented Pant’s confidence but also narrowed his window to prove himself on the international stage. With a limited number of games before the England tour, every innings he plays will now carry added significance, not just for runs, but for reassurance.
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Pant’s proven grit in SENA conditions bolsters his Test credentials
That said, Test cricket, especially in SENA countries, has often brought out the best in Pant. His previous two tours of England speak volumes about his red-ball credentials. In 2018, he scored a memorable century at The Oval, and in 2022, he returned with a rich haul of 368 runs in five Tests, averaging 52.57 with a hundred and two fifties. His aggressive yet calculated approach disrupted England’s plans and showcased his temperament under pressure. Given this history, it would be unwise to write him off based solely on IPL form.
Pant’s record in Australia and South Africa also adds to the argument that he thrives when challenged, whether it’s bouncing pitches or hostile crowds. His century in Cape Town and heroics in Brisbane remain etched in fans’ memories as moments of genuine match-turning brilliance. Such performances reveal a player who understands the demands of Test cricket deeply and is capable of shifting momentum in ways few others can.
Moreover, with the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, India’s batting lineup is in a transitional phase. The onus now falls on experienced campaigners like Pant and KL Rahul to carry the mantle forward. Interestingly, Pant’s overseas Test record adds weight to his case for a leadership role as well, especially when compared to Shubman Gill, who has struggled outside Asia. Gill, since his 91-run knock at Gabba in 2021, hasn’t crossed the 40-run mark in an overseas Test innings, and averages just 15 outside Asia.
This comparison is particularly stark because while Gill is seen as the next big thing in Indian cricket, his overseas returns have not justified the hype yet. In contrast, Pant has built a reputation for being India’s most reliable aggressor in foreign conditions, often playing the dual role of enforcer and anchor in middle-order crises. This kind of mental and technical adaptability is rare, and it strengthens the argument for greater responsibility, perhaps even leadership, coming Pant’s way.
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England tour looms as defining chapter in Pant’s red-ball redemption
As India head to England, the bigger picture will be about how Rishabh Pant adapts once again to the rigours of red-ball cricket. His forgettable IPL stint should ideally be viewed in isolation, as T20s rarely reflect the temperament and technique required for Test matches. Pant’s past performances in England, his ability to play the long innings under pressure, and the leadership potential he brings to the table all suggest that a turnaround in form is not only possible but likely.
The conditions in England, where seam movement tests technique and patience, could work in Pant’s favour. He has shown the ability to leave balls outside off-stump, play late, and pick the right moments to attack. These skills, honed during India’s successful 2021 campaign in England, may well help him navigate the early spells and cash in once set.
The next few months could define Pant’s future in Indian cricket. A successful England tour may not only cement his place in the Test side but also lay the foundation for him to take over as India’s next Test captain. The firepower is there, the experience is growing, and the expectations are sky-high. Whether Pant can rise above the noise and deliver in England once again remains to be seen, but history suggests that betting against him in whites might be a mistake.
Should he deliver, the conversation could shift from his IPL struggles to his suitability as the long-term face of India’s Test team, both as a keeper-batter and as a leader in a post-Kohli, post-Rohit era. Few players have the charisma, edge, and game-changing ability that Pant possesses; all that remains is for him to rediscover his rhythm, and the rest may follow.
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