Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The IPL franchise confirmed via a post on X that they have accepted Pant’s request to give up his leadership role in the team, following a disastrous 2026 season, where they finished at the bottom of the points table.
Tom Moody’s statement on Rishabh Pant’s resignation
In an official statement on behalf of the franchise, LSG’s Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, said, “Rishabh approached the franchise with this 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.”Â
Rishabh Pant’s journey with LSG
After 8 seasons at Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant earned a jaw-dropping move to LSG at a whopping INR 27 crore in the player auction ahead of IPL 2025 and was named captain of the franchise on expected lines. He, however, struggled with the bat as he ended with a season tally of 269 runs despite scoring a 118+. Rishabh Pant’s team finished 7th in the 2025 season. His batting numbers improved marginally this year as he scored 312 runs in 13 innings while the team regressed, finishing in 10th place with only 4 wins and 10 defeats.
LSG’s journey and the road ahead for them post this decision
LSG came into the IPL in the year 2022, which was their inception year. For the first three seasons since 2022, LSG were led by KL Rahul. After two playoffs finished and one at the 7th spot, the two parties parted ways with the franchise looking for a reset under captain Pant. But that alliance has now ended after a couple of underwhelming seasons.
LSG has quite a few potential captains in the squad to take over from Pant. Aiden Markram leads the franchise’s SA20 team, the Durban Super Giants, as well as the one in the Men’s Hundred in the Manchester Super Giants. Mitchell Marsh is currently the captain of Australia’s T20I side, while Nicholas Pooran has led MI New York to the Major League Cricket title twice.
If they wish, they can go for a captain in the mini-auction for IPL 2027 that will happen sometime later in the year. Otherwise, they have the aforementioned choices, which are decent and have able minds to lead the franchise. But the owners may want an Indian captain, which is not a compulsion, but that is something they go for nowadays, most franchises apart from SRH, who have Pat Cummins leading them.
Rishabh Pant’s Resignation- Inevitable
While this news of Rishabh Pant resigning might have surprised a few people, it was something that was on the cards,, one felt, after all that transpired this season. Pant looked directionless in the field while leading the side. The batting performances notwithstanding, he looked clueless and helpless at times under pressure. Plus, Tom Moody, after their last game, had hinted they would look at the leadership, thereby giving indirect signs to Pant.
The fact that Rishabh Pant resigned himself or seemed to have resigned is a step in the right direction for Pant, as it can make him free from the burden of captaincy. Statements like there are too many noises in the dressing room and stuff may have gone against Pant, as well as he suggested something which he should not have. Plus, in an interview with Ian Bishop, Pant looked lost and could not explain Shami’s absence from the playing XI despite being asked clearly and repeatedly. Plus, he used slang on national television, which did not go down well with anyone.
Add to the woes, he was removed from Test vice-captaincy for India, and it has been a turbulent last month or so for Rishabh Pant. One hopes he takes a break and comes back stronger as a better and more sensible person, and be careful what he is speaking about. He is a quality cricketer, and he can do a lot better. He just needs to be in the right space and, if he gets that, then we could see the beast mode of Pant for India. He will stay with LSG, but now as a player, as we speak.
Also Read:Â IPL 2026: Where Did It All Go Wrong For CSK?