LSG new captain: Star India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will likely captain Lucknow Super Giants.
After becoming the most expensive player in IPL 2025, Rishabh Pant will likely grab another opportunity by becoming the new captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Pant was bought for INR 27 crore (US$ 3.21 million approx.) by LSG in the mega auction held in November.
India wicket-keeper-batter KL Rahul was not retained by LSG in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, however, the right-hand batter captained the franchise LSG in their first three seasons (from 2022 to 2024), and even made the playoffs in the first two seasons, however, failed in the third season.
The franchise had to opt between Pant and Shreyas Iyer for the role of skipper, and the management and the franchise decided to go with the former. The 27-year-old cricketer Pant will be replacing KL Rahul, who may replace Pant as Captain in the same manner for Delhi Capitals.
Lucknow was in a competitive bidding war with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Initially, LSG surrendered at a staggering 20.75 crore, but Delhi Capitals had the right to match-card, and LSG bagged the player at 27 crore.
Rishabh Pant’s captaincy journey
Rishabh Pant’s leadership journey in the IPL started with the Delhi Capitals (DC), where he became captain in 2021. However, his time at DC was filled with uncertainty about his captaincy, and after unsuccessful negotiations with the franchise, he decided to enter the auction again. Pant had been with DC since 2016 but was unable to participate in the 2023 season due to a serious car accident.
IPL 2025 will mark Rishabh Pant’s second chance as an IPL captain will LSG. At Lucknow Super Giants, unorthodox southpaw batsman will join hands with head coach Justin Langer and newly appointed mentor Zaheer Khan. LSG retained five of its players- Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan ahead of the 2025 Mega Auction. The franchise has a strong squadron of foreign batters including David Miller, Mitchell Marsh, and Aiden Markram, hoping to secure its first IPL title under Pant’s captaincy.
