Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took a look at KL Rahul after being named the captain of Lucknow Super Giants for the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rishabh Pant emphasized that he does not focus on personal performance, making a point about his approach to leadership.
Lucknow Super Giants officially named Rishabh Pant as their captain on Monday, January 20, during an event in Kolkata. KL Rahul, who has been the captain since the franchise’s inception in 2022, has been released ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction, marking the end of his three-season tenure with the team.
Lucknow Super Giants broke the bank to acquire the services of Rishabh Pant
Super Giants broke the bank to acquire the services of Rishabh Pant during the mega auction 2025. Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the league after he was bought for 27 crore. Pant, who was with the Delhi Capitals (DC) from 2016 to 2024, was released after the 2024 season.
KL Rahul captained Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL from 2022 to 2024, leading them to the playoffs in the first two seasons but falling short in the most recent one. Rishabh Pant will now take over as the fourth captain of the Lucknow-based team after Krunal Pandya, KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran.
I always think of this – Rishabh Pant
The hesitation is gone from the chat Rishabh Bhai 🤯
Iykyk referred to here pic.twitter.com/fbzExQuU1R— Spiderman Pants (@cricwithpant) January 20, 2025
Speaking after being announced as LSG captain, Pant stressed that his main focus is to contribute runs for the team. He made it clear that his mindset revolves around how he can improve and perform, rather than worrying about leadership.
“I’m a captain or I’m not a captain. I don’t think I’m just focusing on my personal performance, how I have to make the runs. I always think about that,” Pand said.
Rishabh Pant is one of the most experienced cricketers in the IPL, having played 111 matches and scored 3,284 runs at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93. As LSG’s new captain, he will work with coach Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan as part of the team’s leadership team.
After missing the entire 2023 IPL season due to car accident injuries, Pant made a strong comeback in 2024, scoring 446 runs at an average of over 40 and a strike rate of 155.40 in 13 matches. Despite his impressive individual performance, the Delhi Capitals (DC) failed to qualify for the playoffs that year.
Lucknow Super Giants are yet to win an IPL title
Lucknow Super Giants are yet to win an IPL title, having participated in three seasons since their debut in 2022. They reached the playoffs in the first two seasons. However, they failed to secure a title in either year. The team missed the playoffs in the most recent season, finishing seventh.
LSG will look to bounce back with Pant now leading the team. Pant, with a captaincy record of 43 matches, 23 wins and a win percentage of 53.48, will face high expectations to succeed. Given the franchise’s significant investment in him, it will be interesting to see how Pant handles his new leadership role.
