Lucknow Super Giants appoints Rishabh Pant as new captain for IPL 2025

India’s destructive wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant will lead the Lucknow Super Giants franchise in the upcoming 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League. LSG owner, Mr. Sanjeev Goenka confirmed the development in an interaction with Star Sports, on Monday. Earlier, the Lucknow-based franchise brought Rishabh Pant’s services at the IPL 2025 auction for a record-breaking amount of INR 27 crore, thereby, becoming the costliest player ever in the history of the Indian Premier League. 

For three consecutive seasons, Indian batter KL Rahul led the side and took the team to the playoffs in the first two editions in 2022 and 2023. However, LSG’s below-par performance in the 2024 edition led to KL Rahul’s exit and it opened the doors for a new skipper for the next season. 

LSG had the option to hand over the leadership duties to Nicholas Pooran, who was retained for a massive sum of INR 21 crore. However, they have chosen to put faith in Pant's leadership for the upcoming season. 

"Thank you to LSG family for showing the faith in me," Pant said, alongside team owner Sanjiv Goenka and mentor Zaheer Khan, in Kolkata on Monday. "I will give my 200% and that's my commitment to you. I will try whatever is in my power to repay the faith you have shown. Looking forward to have a new beginning with new energy and just have a blast out there, and have lots of fun."

As far as the leadership is concerned, Rishabh Pant will be Lucknow Super Giants’ fourth captain in Indian Premier League history. KL Rahul led the side for three seasons, while Krunal Pandya led the franchise for six games in IPL 2023 due to KL Rahul’s injury. Besides, Nicholas Pooran has also led the Lucknow-based franchise for one game. 

Rishabh Pant led Delhi Capitals from IPL 2021 to IPL 2024 

Before joining Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant had previously led Delhi Capitals in three seasons, namely 2021, 2022 and 2024.  During his tenure as captain, he led the team in 40 games, amassing 21 wins and 18 losses.

In his maiden IPL season as captain, Rishabh Pant took Delhi to the top of the table at the end of the league stage, winning 10 out of 14 games. However, they couldn't make it to the finals, losing to CSK and KKR in the qualifier 1 and qualifier 2, respectively. 

Delhi failed to reach the playoffs in the 2022 and 2024 editions, finishing in fifth and sixth places, respectively. 

“I will give me 200 percent”- Rishabh Pant

Expressing his delight over his new association with Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant vowed to give his 200 percent in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The Indian wicket-keeper is hopeful of giving his all and helping the team lift the first IPL title.  

"I will give my 200 percent. That's my commitment to you. I will try whatever is in my power to repay the faith. I am really excited and looking forward to a new beginning and new energy. And have a blast out there with a lot of fun," Pant told mediapersons after being unveiled as the new skipper.

Heading into a new season, the Lucknow Super Giants boast of a powerful batting line-up. They have got some explosive hitters in their line-up, featuring Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh, and David Miller among others. The likes of Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Mayank Yadav are likely to share the fast bowling unit, while Ravi Bishnoi will lead the spin attack. It will be interesting to see how the franchise fares in the upcoming season under a new skipper and a revamped squad.