Why He’s Trending in the USA
Introduction: Why Rishabh Pant Is Trending Now
Rishabh Pant, the dynamic Indian cricketer and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain, is making waves in the USA with a stunning century in the IPL 2025 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 27, 2025. After a challenging season, his explosive 118* off 61 balls has ignited social media, particularly on X, where U.S. cricket fans are celebrating his comeback. With cricket’s growing popularity in the USA, Pant’s heroics are stealing the spotlight.
Background: Pant’s Rise to Stardom
Hailing from Roorkee, India, Pant, 27, burst onto the scene with a 24-ball 75 at the 2016 U-19 World Cup. Known for his aggressive batting and wicketkeeping, he became the IPL’s most expensive player ever, acquired by LSG for ₹27 crore ($3.2 million) in 2025. His IPL career boasts 3,553 runs in 125 matches, with a peak of 684 runs in 2018 at a 173.60 strike rate. Despite a life-threatening 2022 car accident, Pant’s resilience shone in 2024, scoring 446 runs for Delhi Capitals.
Latest Game Highlights
Pant’s performance in LSG’s clash against RCB at Ekana Stadium was a game-changer:
- Century Showpiece: Pant smashed 118* off 61 balls, with 11 fours and 8 sixes, at a strike rate of 193.44, leading LSG to 228/6.
- Team Impact: His knock, paired with Mitchell Marsh’s 50 off 31, overwhelmed RCB, who fell short despite Virat Kohli’s 82*.
- Season Struggles: Before this, Pant managed only 151 runs in 13 matches, averaging 13.73 with a 100.67 strike rate, drawing criticism.
- Captaincy Scrutiny: Pant’s tactical decisions, like defensive field placements, faced backlash, but his batting resurgence silenced doubters.
Social Media Reactions
On X, Pant’s century sparked a frenzy:
- Fan Frenzy: @thesportstak tweeted, “Rishabh Pant’s 118* is pure 🔥! ₹27 crore well spent!” Fans hailed his “vintage” form.
- Meme Mania: @IndiaToday shared memes joking about Pant’s “tentury” struggles turning into a “century masterpiece.”
- Critics Flip: Earlier posts, like @SeerviBharath’s, slammed his 99.22 strike rate, but recent reactions praise his turnaround.
Why It’s Trending in the USA
Cricket’s rise in the USA, fueled by Major League Cricket and IPL streaming on Willow TV, has drawn fans to Pant’s flair. His century against RCB, a fan-favorite team, resonates with U.S. audiences, amplified by X posts celebrating his redemption. The Indian diaspora and growing cricket interest make his story a viral hit, especially after his earlier IPL 2025 struggles.
Future Implications
Pant’s century could mark a turning point, boosting LSG’s playoff hopes and his T20I selection chances for India. As cricket expands in the USA, his star power could drive fan engagement. Follow X for updates and watch LSG’s next match against CSK on June 1 for Pant’s continued impact.