Nicholas Pooran vs Rishabh Pant: Who Should Lead Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026?
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) management faces a major leadership dilemma ahead of IPL 2026. Current skipper Rishabh Pant, despite his stardom and popularity, endured a poor season in IPL 2025 with both the bat and as captain. Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran is making a strong case for himself after his explosive batting and successful leadership in franchise leagues worldwide.
Pant’s Underwhelming Season
Pant’s numbers in IPL 2025 tell a disappointing story. In 14 innings, he scored just 269 runs at an average of 24.25 with only a handful of impactful knocks. Under his leadership, LSG played 14 matches, winning 6 and losing 8, finishing with a win percentage of 42.85%—well below expectations for a team with such firepower.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | Wins as Captain | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant (2025) | 14 | 269 | 24.25 | 129 | 6 | 42.85% |
Pant’s form slump and tactical missteps have opened the door for leadership discussions within the franchise.
Pooran’s Case for Captaincy
On the other hand, Nicholas Pooran has emerged as one of the hottest T20 commodities in the world.
- In CPL 2025, he led Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to their fifth title, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter with 426 runs at an average of 42.60 and a strike rate of 133.
- In the IPL 2025 season, he was LSG’s most consistent performer, scoring 524 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 196, one of the best in the league.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Pooran (CPL 2025) | 13 | 426 | 43 | 133 | 4 |
| Nicholas Pooran (IPL 2025) | 14 | 524 | 43 | 196 | 5 |
With such form, it’s no surprise LSG retained him for a massive ₹21 crore, highlighting the value he brings to the franchise.
Leadership Credentials
Pooran has proven himself in T20 leagues:
- CPL 2025 – 9 wins in 13 matches, culminating in a championship.
- MLC – Led MI New York to the final in 2023 and played a starring role in their title win in 2023.
| Team (as Captain) | Matches | Won | Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TKR (CPL 2025) | 13 | 9 | 4 | 69% |
| MI New York (MLC) | Multiple | Finalist 2023, Champions 2023 | – | – |
The Downsides
However, Pooran’s record as an international captain with West Indies was far from convincing:
- Out of 23 matches as skipper, West Indies won only 8, losing 14, with a win percentage of 35%.
- He also lacks significant IPL captaincy experience, having led LSG in just one match in his career.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 23 | 8 | 14 | 35% |
| LSG (IPL) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
Verdict: The Big Question for LSG
The question for Lucknow is whether to back Pant for another season, banking on his recovery and star pull, or to make a bold move by handing the captaincy to Pooran, whose form and leadership in franchise cricket are hard to ignore.
With IPL 2026 auctions and preparations around the corner, LSG’s decision on captaincy could define their campaign. Will they gamble on Pooran’s rising stock, or stick with Pant’s experience and charisma? The answer will shape the franchise’s future.
