IPL 2025: Team-wise worst pick of the season

4. Rishabh Pant (LSG/Lucknow Super Giants)

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had put all their trust in Rishabh Pant in the 2025 edition of the IPL. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter was not only the most expensive player in the mega auction but was also named the captain of the franchise. Notably, Pant was bought by the Lucknow-based franchise for a mind-boggling price of INR 27 crore.

However, it was a disastrous season for the T20 world champion. Though the LSG fans did get a moment to celebrate when he scored a century in the last game, the underwhelming stats cannot be ignored. Pant could only manage to score 269 runs in 14 games at an average of 24.45 and had a strike rate of 133.16.

3. Venkatesh Iyer (KKR/Kolkata Knight Riders)

Speaking of expensive flops of IPL 2025, another name that makes this list is Kolkata Knight Riders' middle order batter, Venkatesh Iyer. The Madhya Pradesh-based batter was one of the top performers for Kolkata last season. As a result, the franchise showed a lot of trust in him by buying him for a hefty price of INR 23.75 crore.

However, Iyer barely played a game, and he failed whenever he got the opportunity. The 30-year-old batter scored 142 runs at an average of 20.28 this season, with only one 50+ score. It is safe to say this was one of the worst picks by the defending champions going into the tournament.