Rishabh Pant has been announced as the new captain of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The team revealed the decision on Monday as they prepare for the upcoming IPL season, which begins on March 21, 2025. Pant takes over the leadership role after LSG parted ways with K.L. Rahul prior to the mega auction in November 2024.

Pant was acquired by LSG during the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a record-breaking ₹27 crore. He will join forces with head coach Justin Langer to guide the team in the new season.

LSG’s Retentions and Preparations

Before the auction, LSG retained five key players: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan, setting a solid foundation for the team under Pant’s leadership.

Pant’s IPL Journey

Previously, Pant was part of the Delhi Capitals, joining the franchise in 2016. He took over as captain in 2021 after Shreyas Iyer’s injury and continued to lead through the 2022 season. However, Pant was released by Delhi ahead of the latest auction.

In IPL 2024, Pant made a stunning comeback after recovering from severe injuries sustained in a car accident in December 2022. Reinstated as captain of the Delhi Capitals, he scored 446 runs during the season. Despite his efforts, Delhi had another average campaign.

International Comeback

Pant’s strong performance in IPL 2024 earned him a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad, where he played a vital role in the team’s victorious campaign. This marked his return to the T20I format after a long absence since his accident.

A Stellar Record

The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has an impressive IPL record, amassing 3,284 runs in 111 matches. As LSG’s new captain, Pant aims to lead the team to their first IPL title and continue his journey as one of the league’s most dynamic players.