Rishabh Pant was officially announced as the new captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a grand event held in Kolkata. However, the ceremony began on a delayed note, as the wicketkeeper-batter arrived more than an hour late. The cause of the delay wasn’t disclosed, but team owner Sanjiv Goenka quickly issued an apology to the attendees.
Pant Unveiled as LSG Skipper
The event, attended by Goenka and LSG mentor Zaheer Khan, marked the beginning of Pant’s association with the franchise. Without further delay, Goenka presented Pant with the team jersey, officially welcoming him as their captain. Speaking at the event, Pant pledged his commitment to the team, stating, “I will give my 200 percent. That’s my promise to you. I’ll do everything in my power to repay the faith you’ve shown in me. I’m excited about this new journey and can’t wait to have a blast with the team.”
Goenka also expressed optimism about the team’s future under Pant’s leadership, saying, “With new hope, aspirations, and confidence, we are starting a new chapter. I’m thrilled to introduce Rishabh Pant as our captain.”
Pant’s Journey to LSG
This marks Pant’s second stint as a captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Previously, he led the Delhi Capitals (DC), but disagreements over his leadership role led him to part ways with the franchise. Despite DC’s initial interest in retaining him, negotiations fell through, prompting Pant to re-enter the IPL auction.
At the auction, LSG secured Pant’s services for a record ₹27 crore, outbidding Sunrisers Hyderabad and even DC, who exercised their right-to-match card but couldn’t keep up. Pant’s signing made him the most expensive player in IPL history.
LSG’s Retention Strategy and Pant’s Role
Before the auction, LSG retained Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and Ayush Badoni. However, KL Rahul, the former captain, was notably absent from the retained players’ list. Goenka’s post-auction comments about prioritizing team goals over individual milestones were perceived as a veiled criticism of Rahul’s inconsistent strike rate.
Pant ultimately edged out Pooran for the captaincy role, bringing a mix of experience and energy to the team. Speaking about LSG’s future, Pant said, “We have a balanced squad with a blend of youth and experience. We haven’t reached where we want to be yet, but I’m optimistic about the journey ahead. My goal is to take this franchise to new heights.”
The Road Ahead
As the new LSG captain, Pant faces the challenge of leading the franchise to its first IPL title. With the backing of the management and a strong team, fans will be eager to see if the costliest player in IPL history can deliver on his promise and steer LSG to glory.
