If reports are to be believed, Rishabh Pant didn’t relinquish captaincy by himself. Instead, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) management removed him from the role after two disappointing seasons.
During the 2025 mega-auction, Pant was roped in by Sanjiv Goenka-owned LSG for a record-breaking INR 27 crore, making him the highest-paid player in IPL history. The wicketkeeper-batter was subsequently named captain of the franchise. However, in the last two seasons, the Super Giants finished seventh and 10th, respectively.
Pant’s own performance with the bat was also underwhelming across both seasons. In 26 innings, he scored 581 runs at an average of 26.41 and a strike rate of 135.74. This includes two fifties and one century.
IPL 2026 concluded on May 31. However, two days before the final, LSG announced that Pant had decided to relinquish captaincy.
“Rishabh approached the franchisee with his 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,” LSG said in a brief statement on their website.
Last week, reports emerged suggesting that Pant is in line for a comeback at the Delhi Capitals, a franchise he played for in eight seasons of the IPL. The reports also mentioned that Kuldeep Yadav would be traded to Lucknow in exchange for Pant, who would be taking a massive pay cut.
However, a fresh report has claimed that Pant did not leave captaincy willingly and was instead removed by the LSG management. Following the decision, the 28-year-old reportedly chose to leave the franchise as he felt undervalued.
“Questions are being raised over the haste with which Pant was removed as captain immediately after the IPL season. At the same time, Pant too appeared keen to secure a move elsewhere rather than continue with a franchise where he no longer felt valued,” Cricblogger quoted a source as claiming.
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