Virender Sehwag's Simple Advice for Rishabh Pant to Overcome His Slump: Call Dhoni!

Rishabh Pant, the IPL’s most expensive player for 2025, entered the season with huge expectations, but his form has been a cause for concern. Struggling with inconsistency, Pant has managed just 128 runs in 11 matches, averaging 12.8 with a strike rate of 99. His latest performance saw him dismissed for just 18 runs off 17 balls against Punjab Kings, adding to his growing list of struggles.

Sehwag's Key Advice: Pick Up the Phone and Call Dhoni

In the wake of Pant’s ongoing form issues, cricket legend Virender Sehwag offered some straightforward advice. While analyzing the Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings match on Cricbuzz, Sehwag suggested that Pant should look back at his old videos, especially those where he scored runs, to rediscover his rhythm.

But perhaps the most surprising part of Sehwag’s advice was his suggestion for Pant to call MS Dhoni. Sehwag believes that if Pant sees Dhoni as his idol, he should pick up the phone and talk to him. “He has a phone. He can call whoever he wants,” Sehwag said. “If he's mentally struggling, there are many cricketers who can guide him. If Dhoni is his idol, then he should talk to him.”

Rayudu Criticizes Pant’s Stubbornness Amid Poor Form

Pant's struggles have also drawn reactions from former cricketers. Ambati Rayudu expressed concern over Pant’s approach, calling him “stubborn.” Rayudu pointed out that Pant hasn’t been willing to change his style, which could make things worse for him. “Pant has the skills to thrive in the middle order, but he lacks the mentality to adjust his game when required,” Rayudu added.

The Road Ahead for Pant

While Pant remains focused on the team's overall performance, his individual struggles have raised doubts about his consistency. Sehwag’s advice to reach out to Dhoni could be the mental boost Pant needs to regain his confidence and composure, especially when facing pressure in the IPL.