Lucknow Super Giants unveiled Rishabh Pant as the new captain for the franchise ahead of the 2025 edition of the IPL. Rishabh Pant, who played at No 3 for India in the T20 World Cup, might be one of the possible opening options for Lucknow given the lack of designated openers in the squad. Rishabh Pant, the new captain of the Lucknow Super Giants, admitted that there is a temptation to open the innings in IPL 2025 but didn’t want to do it just because it is a popular suggestion, given the lack of designated openers in the squad.
Rishabh Pant, who batted at No 3 in the T20 World Cup for India, may not be part of the T20 side as of now, but felt content with what he has been able to do in the IPL in the middle-order role, especially in his comeback season last year while leading the Delhi Capitals where he averaged 40.5 and was striking at 155.40.
Rishabh Pant pips Shreyas Iyer to whopping 27 crores in IPL 2025
The IPL champion skipper was finally sold for a whopping INR 26.75 Crore to Punjab Kings (PBKS) becoming the most expensive player in the history of the tournament.
However, his record was short-lived as Rishabh Pant emerged as the most expensive player in the IPL auction as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were able to acquire his services for INR 27 Crore. Delhi Capitals (DC) exercised their Right to Match for Pant at the bidding for INR 20.75 Crore. However, Lucknow increased the bid to INR 27 Crore and managed to have him on board on for INR 27 Crores.
History has been made at the IPL 2025! Star India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has become the most expensive player ever in IPL with Lucknow Super Giants picking him up for Rs 27 crore. Rishabh Pant broke Shreyas Iyer’s record, who was picked by Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore. On the record bid, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka said that they had reserved Rs 26 crore for Pant and they had to ‘slightly’ go up for the star India player.
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured Rishabh Pant’s services in the IPL 2025 mega auction with a record-breaking bid of ₹27 crore. Rishabh Pant, known for his explosive batting and leadership skills, attracted heavy interest from multiple teams, resulting in a fierce bidding war in Jeddah, where the auction was held.
Rishabh Pant was the final player in the marquee set 1 and garnered immense attention right from the start. Lucknow Super Giants opened the bidding, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) joining the fray almost immediately. The initial bids quickly soared past ₹5 crore, crossing the ₹10 crore mark in no time.
At this stage, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) entered the race, intensifying the competition. SRH and LSG raised their bids in rapid succession, pushing the price to a staggering ₹20 crore. Despite SRH’s aggressive bidding, LSG ultimately sealed the deal at ₹27 crore after a brief scare from Delhi Capitals (DC), who nearly used their Right to Match (RTM) card. Lucknow Super Giants now boast a formidable middle order with Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran, aiming to dominate the upcoming season.
With Rishabh Pant being officially announced as the Lucknow Super Giants’ skipper ahead of the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League, the franchise owner, Sanjiv Goenka, has set massive expectations from the captain as the side looks to make a fresh start. The expectations were already set to a high standard when the franchise decided to break the bank and go for a record bid of Rs 27 crore to secure the services of the wicketkeeper-batter. Goenka explained that they were dead-set on bringing in the all-format start to their side.
LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka makes a huge prediction on new franchise skipper Rishabh Pant ahead of IPL 2025
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka believes the franchise’s new skipper Rishabh Pant would go on to match the success of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as a leader in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He also predicted that the aggressive wicketkeeper-batter would go on to become the best player in the history of the IPL.
On expected lines, LSG confirmed Pant as their captain for the IPL 2025 season on Monday, January 20. The 27-year-old was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record-breaking price of ₹27 crore at the IPL 2025 auction.
During an interaction on Star Sports, LSG owner Goenka backed the team’s new leader to match the feats of Dhoni and Rohit as IPL captain. He asserted:
“According to me, he will play for the next 12-15 years. People say that MI and CSK are more successful. Mahi and Rohit are undeniably brilliant. Mark my words, after 10 years, people will say, Mahi, Rohit and Rishabh.”
Both Dhoni and Rohit have led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) to five IPL title triumphs respectively, making them the two most successful captains in the history of the T20 league.
Goenka went on to praise Pant for his passion and hunger to win and made a huge statement on the keeper-batter. He commented:
“In my belief, time will prove that he is not only the most successful player of the IPL, but he is going to be the best player of the IPL. I haven’t seen players with that kind of passion and hunger to win.”
Rishabh Pant missed IPL 2023 after he was involved in a horrific car crash in December 2022. He made an impressive comeback during the 2024 edition. Leading Delhi Capitals (DC), the southpaw scored 446 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.55 and a strike rate of 55.40, with a best of 88*.
“The price tag ended when the auction concluded” – Goenka downplays Pant’s purchase for ₹27 crore
In the past, there have been a few instances of players failing to live up to their humungous price tag in the IPL. Some experts and fans have expressed concern over Pant’s whopping price tag and how it could impact his performance. Goenka, however, doesn’t see it as a big issue. The LSG owner stated:
“The price tag ended when the auction concluded. Every team has spent 120 crores. It is not relevant how much you spend on a single player or the rest.”
Goenka praised Pant’s leadership style and added that his thought process is a little different. He elaborated:
“If you go with a conventional thought process, then it isn’t unique. I see an in-born leader in him. According to me, he will be the best captain that IPL has ever seen. I was clear that I wanted him, and I would take it.”
Rishabh Pant led Delhi Capitals in 43 IPL matches from 2021 to 2024. Under his leadership, the Delhi franchise won 23 matches and lost 19, while one game ended in a tie. He has a win percentage of 53.48 in the T20 league.
Lucknow had retained five players ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction including the likes of Ayush Badoni, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi and Nicholas Pooran. LSG didn’t go after an ‘opener’ during the auction. There is Arshin Kulkarni, who made a terrific start to his List-A career recently in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. There are a couple of overseas options in Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh with Matthew Breetzke as the backup.
If Pant opens alongside Kulkarni, it could free up an overseas spot for the Super Giants to maybe play Shamar Joseph as part of the pace attack with Pooran and David Miller set to be sure-short starters in the middle. Lucknow finished at No 7 last season after making the playoffs in their first two seasons.