Rishabh Pant and LSG’s Leadership Dilemma
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) made headlines by acquiring former Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, making him the most expensive buy in IPL history. With KL Rahul’s departure to Delhi Capitals, many assumed Pant would take on the captaincy role for LSG. However, team owner Sanjiv Goenka has thrown a curveball, stating the captaincy decision is still up in the air.
Goenka revealed that the franchise has multiple leadership options, forming a “strong leadership group” that includes Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, and Rishabh Pant. While Pant’s hunger and passion for winning make him a top contender, LSG appears to be carefully evaluating its options for the 2025 season.
“Strong Leadership Pool” Says Sanjiv Goenka
In a statement addressing the captaincy speculation, Sanjiv Goenka praised the depth of leadership within the LSG squad.
“We have four leaders in our team – Rishabh (Pant), Pooran, Markram and Mitch Marsh. So it becomes a very strong leadership pool of intellect and thought, and strategy. They are all people who can go with the mindset to win. Rishabh has the hunger and passion to win. So a good team has been built,” – Sanjiv Goenka said.
This strategic approach reflects LSG’s ambition to dominate the upcoming IPL season with a balanced mix of experience and innovation in their leadership setup.
Rishabh Pant Breaks IPL Records
Rishabh Pant’s ₹27 crore price tag shattered the previous IPL record held by Mitchell Starc, who was bought for ₹24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 auction. Pant’s signing underscores his value as a game-changer both on and off the field.
In contrast, former LSG captain KL Rahul was released by the franchise on retention day and later picked up by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore. The move to Delhi reunites Rahul with a franchise seeking stability and strong leadership, particularly after Pant’s departure.
Key Stats Recap:
- Most Expensive IPL Buy: ₹27 crore for Rishabh Pant
- KL Rahul’s New Team: Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore
- LSG Leadership Contenders: Pant, Markram, Pooran, Marsh
