Rishabh Pant reportedly removed as LSG captain before deciding to leave franchise
Rishabh Pant’s departure from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has taken a fresh twist. New reports suggest that the wicketkeeper-batter did not step down as captain on his own. Instead, he was reportedly removed from the leadership role by the franchise management after two disappointing IPL seasons.
Pant joined LSG ahead of IPL 2025 for a record-breaking INR 27 crore. The move made him the most expensive player in IPL history. Soon after signing, he was named captain of the franchise.
However, things did not go according to plan. Under Pant’s leadership, LSG finished seventh in IPL 2025 and dropped to 10th place in IPL 2026. His batting performances were also below expectations. Across 26 innings for the franchise, Pant scored 581 runs at an average of 26.41 and a strike rate of 135.74. His tally included two half-centuries and one century.
Reports claim Pant felt undervalued after captaincy decision
Just two days before the IPL 2026 final, LSG announced that Pant had decided to relinquish captaincy.
“Rishabh approached the franchisee with his request and we have respectfully accepted it. These decisions are never easy. We are grateful for everything Rishabh has brought to this dressing room as captain. Our focus now is on the collective – rebuilding and restructuring to reach the best standards,” LSG said in a brief statement on their website.
Recently, reports linked Pant with a return to Delhi Capitals, the franchise where he spent eight IPL seasons. The reports suggested that spinner Kuldeep Yadav could be traded to Lucknow, while Pant would move back to Delhi on a reduced salary.
A fresh report has now claimed that Pant’s exit was influenced by LSG’s decision to remove him as captain. According to the report, the 28-year-old felt he was no longer valued by the franchise and preferred to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“Questions are being raised over the haste with which Pant was removed as captain immediately after the IPL season. At the same time, Pant too appeared keen to secure a move elsewhere rather than continue with a franchise where he no longer felt valued,” Cricblogger quoted a source as claiming.
The developments have added further intrigue to Pant’s future ahead of the IPL 2027 season.
