Rishabh Pant sets up PBKS and LSG rivalry with his latest statement

If not the costliest player in the IPL mega auction, then who else has a guaranteed chance at a team’s captaincy position? The certainty was confirmed on Monday when LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka announced Rishabh Pant as their skipper for IPL 2025. Lucknow Super Giants, who parted ways with their captain of three seasons, KL Rahul, acquired Rishabh Pant for a whopping ₹27 crore in the mega auction. Pant, who had left Delhi Capitals, became the highest-paid player in the history of the league upon joining the LSG camp. Both Rahul's and Pant's exits from their respective franchises ahead of IPL 2025 made headlines. However, as they swapped teams during the auction, where KL Rahul joined Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore, it set up an exciting subplot for the upcoming season. Furthermore, Pant sparked another rivalry with his latest statement regarding Punjab Kings.

Rishabh Pant talks about his concerns regarding Punjab Kings picking him in the IPL 2025 mega auction

The Lucknow Super Giants officially announced Rishabh Pant as their captain for the upcoming season on Monday. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, rumors circulated about Pant being targeted by franchises like RCB and PBKS, both of which were in search of a captain. Additionally, given Pant's close relationship with MS Dhoni, it was speculated that CSK might also pursue the Indian wicketkeeper-batter. As it turns out, Rishabh Pant himself was not too keen on joining Punjab Kings.

Ahead of IPL 2025, Ricky Ponting left Delhi Capitals to join Punjab Kings as the head coach. With Ponting already in the PBKS camp, it seemed only fitting for Rishabh Pant to join the franchise. However, in his latest statement, Pant discussed his inhibitions. When talking about the prospect of playing for other teams after his exit from Delhi, Pant mentioned feeling apprehensive about Punjab bidding for him. However, when PBKS went after the former DC and KKR skipper, Shreyas Iyer, Pant was relieved of his concerns.

“I only had one tension, that was Punjab (laughs). They had the highest purse. When Shreyas went to Punjab, I felt I could make it to LSG. There was a possibility. But eventually, with auction you never know, so I just thought I would wait and watch, and had my fingers crossed,” he said.

Shreyas Iyer, who won the IPL 2024 title as the skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders went to Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 mega auction for 26.75 crore. Until LSG went all out for Rishabh Pant, Shreyas was poised as the costliest player in IPL's history. Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant share an interesting history in the league. Iyer’s captaincy of Delhi Capitals came to an unceremonious end when the franchise chose to appoint Rishabh Pant as the full-time skipper after he had filled in for Iyer during his injury-marred absence. This decision led to Shreyas Iyer joining Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2022 mega auction. Now, with Iyer claiming the captaincy of Punjab Kings and Rishabh Pant leading Lucknow Super Giants, another mouth-watering rivalry is brewing for IPL 2025.