Rishabh Pant has etched his name in IPL history, becoming the most expensive player ever after being signed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a staggering ₹27 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The bid eclipsed the previous record of ₹26.75 crore set moments earlier by Shreyas Iyer, who was picked by Punjab Kings.
The bidding war for the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter began fiercely, with multiple franchises vying for his services. Delhi Capitals (DC), Pant’s former team, used their Right to Match (RTM) card at ₹20.75 crore. However, new auction rules allowed LSG to raise their bid to ₹27 crore, forcing DC to bow out.
Shashwat Goenka, representing LSG, expressed his satisfaction, saying, “Pant was a part of our plan, and we’re thrilled to have secured him. This wasn’t about a magic number but about ensuring we outbid the RTM.”
Lucknow Super Giants secure the Rishabh Pant in a record-breaking bidding war
Pant’s IPL journey has been remarkable. A pivotal player for Delhi Capitals since 2016, he took over the captaincy in 2021 and led the side until 2022. However, a life-threatening car accident in December 2022 sidelined him for a season. His comeback in IPL 2024 saw him amass 446 runs, though DC’s overall performance fell short, leading to his release ahead of the 2025 auction.
With his ₹27 crore signing, Pant will be a cornerstone for Lucknow Super Giants as they aim for their maiden IPL title in the upcoming season.
