Rishabh Pant, the newly appointed captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the 2025 IPL season, made a delayed entrance at the team’s captaincy event in Kolkata, sparking a flurry of reactions. Pant arrived more than an hour late from the scheduled time, though the exact cause of the delay remains unclear. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka swiftly issued an apology at the start of the event, though no details were shared regarding the delay.
The Captaincy Event
Despite the late arrival, Goenka quickly presented Pant with the LSG jersey and officially announced him as the team’s new captain. Pant, who was the most expensive buy in the IPL history, addressed the media and promised to give his utmost commitment to the franchise.
“I will give my 200 percent. That’s my commitment to you,” Pant declared, expressing his excitement for the new role. He emphasized his determination to repay the trust placed in him by LSG.
Pant’s Leadership Journey
Pant’s appointment as LSG captain marks his second stint as an IPL leader. Previously, he captained Delhi Capitals (DC), where the leadership role became a point of contention. Despite his previous success, Pant chose to part ways with DC after unsuccessful retention talks, leading him to enter the IPL 2025 auction.
In a surprise turn of events, Pant secured the LSG captaincy over Nicholas Pooran, who was also considered a potential leader for the franchise. Following KL Rahul’s exclusion from LSG’s retained players list, Pant’s leadership was solidified. Goenka’s comments following the auction suggested the franchise was looking for players who prioritized the team over individual milestones, which many interpreted as a reference to Rahul’s struggle with pace.
Pant’s Vision for LSG
Pant expressed optimism about his new team, which features a blend of youth and experience. Despite LSG’s recent challenges in the IPL, Pant believes that the team has the potential to achieve greater success in the future. “We have not been where we wanted to be… that’s the journey of how we can take this franchise to newer heights,” he said.
The Auction Drama
Pant’s journey to LSG was filled with drama, especially during the IPL 2025 auction. Despite DC’s interest in retaining him, Pant re-entered the auction and was picked up by LSG for ₹20.75 crore. The franchise had to raise their bid to Rs.27 crore to outbid DC’s right-to-match card and secure Pant’s services.
As LSG begins its new chapter under Pant’s leadership, all eyes will be on how the 27-year-old captain leads the team to new heights and whether he can fulfill his promise to deliver a successful IPL campaign.
Stay tuned for more updates on Rishabh Pant’s journey with Lucknow Super Giants.
