New Delhi, May 29: Rishabh Pant’s leadership of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been labeled as ‘disappointing.’ The team finished at the bottom of the points table. Following their elimination from the playoff race, Pant has decided to step down as captain, a decision officially confirmed by the franchise on Friday.
The Lucknow Super Giants announced on the social media platform ‘X’, “LSG formally declares that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved of his captaincy responsibilities with the franchise. The franchise has accepted this request effective immediately.”
Tom Moody, the cricket director of LSG, stated, “Rishabh reached out to the franchise with this request, and we have respectfully accepted it. Such decisions are never easy. We are grateful for everything Rishabh has brought to this dressing room as captain. Our focus now is on collective efforts to rebuild and restructure the team to reach the highest standards.”
In IPL 2026, the Lucknow Super Giants acquired Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crores, marking the highest bid for a player during the IPL auction.
Under Pant’s captaincy, LSG managed to win only 6 out of 14 matches last season, finishing seventh in the points table with 12 points. In IPL 2025, Pant scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45, including a remarkable unbeaten 118.
For IPL 2026, LSG retained Pant for ₹27 crores, but the team’s performance deteriorated further this season, losing 10 out of 14 matches and finishing at the bottom of the points table. Pant accumulated 312 runs at an average of 28.36 this season and also took 10 catches as a wicketkeeper.
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