Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant took a swipe at KL Rahul after being named the captain of Lucknow Super Giants for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Rishabh Pant emphasized that he does not focus on personal performance while making a remark about his approach to leadership.
Lucknow Super Giants officially named Rishabh Pant as their captain on Monday, January 20, during an event in Kolkata. KL Rahul, who had been the captain since the franchise's inception in 2022, was released ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction, marking the end of his three-season tenure with the team.
Lucknow Super Giants broke the bank to acquire the services of Rishabh Pant
Super Giants broke the bank to acquire the services of Rishabh Pant during the mega auction 2025. Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the league after he was bought for Rs 27 crore. Pant, who was with the Delhi Capitals (DC) from 2016 to 2024, was released after the 2024 season.
KL Rahul captained the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL from 2022 to 2024, guiding them to the playoffs in the first two seasons but falling short in the latest. Rishabh Pant will now take over as the fourth captain of the team from Lucknow after Krunal Pandya, KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran.
I always think about it – Rishabh Pant
Hesitation left the chat Rishabh Bhai 🤯
Iykyk referred to here pic.twitter.com/fbzExQuU1R– Spiderman Pant (@cricwithpant) January 20, 2025
Speaking after being announced as the LSG captain, Pant stressed that his main focus is to contribute runs for the team. He made it clear that his mindset revolves around how he can improve and perform, rather than worrying about leadership.
“I'm the captain or I'm not the captain. I don't think I focus only on my personal performance, how I should score the runs. I always think about that,” Pant said.
Rishabh Pant is one of the most experienced cricketers in the IPL who has played 111 matches and scored 3,284 runs at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93. As LSG's new captain, he will work with head coach Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan as part of the team's leadership group.
After missing the entire 2023 IPL season due to injuries in a car accident, Pant made a strong comeback in 2024, scoring 446 runs at an average of over 40 and a strike rate of 155.40 in 13 matches. Despite his impressive individual performance, the Delhi Capitals (DC) did not qualify for the playoffs that year.
Lucknow Super Giants are yet to win an IPL title
Lucknow Super Giants are yet to win an IPL title after participating in three seasons since their debut in 2022. They made the playoffs in the first two seasons. However, they were unable to secure a title in either year. The team missed the playoffs in the most recent season, finishing in seventh place.
LSG will look to bounce back with Pant leading the team. Pant, with a captaincy record of 43 matches, 23 wins and a win percentage of 53.48, will face high expectations to deliver. Given the franchise's significant investment in him, it will be intriguing to see how Pant handles his new leadership role.