In a major development ahead of the next Indian Premier League season, Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants after a disappointing two-year stint with the franchise. The announcement came shortly after LSG endured a miserable IPL 2026 season, finishing at the bottom of the points table.
The franchise confirmed the decision through an official statement, saying that Pant himself had requested to be relieved of captaincy duties. “Lucknow Super Giants wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved from his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted the request with immediate effect,” the statement read.
Pant was bought for a staggering INR 27 crore ahead of IPL 2025, making him one of the most expensive players in the league’s history. The franchise immediately handed him the captaincy, hoping he would lead the team into a new era of success. However, the move failed to produce the desired results.
Under Pant’s leadership, LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs in both seasons. The team finished seventh in IPL 2025 and slipped further in IPL 2026, ending at the bottom of the standings. In 26 matches as captain, Pant managed only 10 victories, with the side struggling for consistency in both batting and bowling departments.
Pant’s personal form also became a major concern during his tenure. Widely regarded as one of India’s most destructive batters, the wicketkeeper struggled to make a meaningful impact with the bat. Across two seasons, he scored 581 runs at a strike rate of 135.74 — numbers considered underwhelming for a player of his stature and price tag.
The pressure of captaincy appeared to affect Pant’s batting rhythm significantly. He experimented with multiple batting positions throughout the two seasons but failed to settle into a consistent role. His tactical decisions on the field also came under criticism, as the franchise repeatedly failed to close out crucial matches.
Adding to the pressure were visible tensions between Pant and LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka. During IPL 2025, Goenka was seen in animated discussions with Pant on several occasions after defeats, sparking speculation about growing frustration within the franchise management. With LSG finishing last this season, the team management appears ready to move in a fresh direction.
Interestingly, the relationship between Pant and Goenka had started on a highly optimistic note. Goenka had publicly backed Pant as a future great IPL captain, comparing him to legendary leaders like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.
“According to me, he will play for the next 12-15 years. People say that MI and CSK are more successful. Mahi and Rohit are undeniably brilliant. Mark my words, after 10 years, people will say, Mahi, Rohit and Rishabh,” Goenka had said during an interview with Star Sports.
With Pant stepping down, the focus now shifts to who will lead Lucknow Super Giants in the next season. Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, South African batter Aiden Markram, and West Indies star Nicholas Pooran are among the frontrunners for the role.
Among them, Markram appears to be the strongest candidate due to his prior leadership experience. He currently captains the Durban Super Giants franchise in SA20 and is regarded as a calm and tactically sound leader. LSG management is expected to make a final decision in the coming months as the franchise begins preparations for a fresh start after two difficult seasons under Pant.
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