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Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is reportedly set to take over the captaincy of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the IPL 2025 season. The 27-year-old cricketer was signed for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah last year, making him the most expensive player in IPL history.
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, “Rishabh Pant is set to be named captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of IPL 2025.”
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Pant’s IPL Journey: From Delhi Capitals to LSG
Pant made his IPL debut in 2016 for Delhi Capitals (DC) and remained with the franchise until 2024. He became DC’s most capped player and all-time leading run-scorer before being released ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Pant captained DC in the 2021, 2022, and 2024 seasons, leading the team to consistent playoff contention. However, DC chose not to retain him, allowing LSG to acquire him for the biggest deal in IPL history.
Why LSG Chose Rishabh Pant?
LSG made its IPL debut in 2022 and played its first three seasons under KL Rahul’s captaincy. Despite Rahul leading LSG to the IPL playoffs in 2022, the franchise decided not to retain him.
Before the mega auction, Nicholas Pooran was considered the frontrunner for the captaincy. The West Indies wicketkeeper-batter, retained for Rs 21 crore, has previously captained West Indies in T20Is and MI New York in Major League Cricket (MLC).
Other contenders included:
- Mitchell Marsh (Australia T20I captain)
- Aiden Markram (South Africa T20I captain)
However, LSG’s management has reportedly favored Pant’s leadership experience and aggressive playing style, making him their preferred choice.
Pant Becomes LSG’s Fourth Captain
If confirmed, Pant will become the fourth player to lead LSG in the IPL after:
- KL Rahul – Full-time captain (2022–2024)
- Krunal Pandya – Stand-in captain (IPL 2023, after Rahul’s injury)
- Nicholas Pooran – Led LSG for one match in IPL 2024
With Pant at the helm, LSG will aim for their first IPL title and a strong performance in IPL 2025. The official captaincy announcement is expected soon.
