Rishabh Pant steps down as LSG captain: Will Lucknow retain, trade or release the ₹27 crore star ahead of 2027 mini-auction? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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LSG captain Rishabh Pant has stepped down from his position.
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LSG finished last in the IPL 2026 standings.
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Pant joined LSG in 2025 via the mega-auction for INR 27 crore.
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Rishabh Pant steps down as Lucknow Super Giants captain after IPL 2026 season
Lucknow Super Giants confirmed on Friday that their captain Rishabh Pant has stepped down from his position after the franchise failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs for the second time in a row under his leadership.
Pant, who LSG signed at the IPL 2025 mega auction for a whopping INR 27 crore, was made the captain of the side ahead of the IPL 2025 campaign. Pant had replaced KL Rahul, who was released ahead of the auction.
However, the most expensive player in IPL history failed to live upto expectations both as a captain and a batter, managing to score a little over 500 runs in two seasons. The team finished seventh in 2025 and 10th this season.
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The official statement from LSG read, “Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved of his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchisee has accepted his request with immediate effect.”
On Pant stepping down, LSG head coach Tom Moody said, “Rishabh approached the franchisee 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.”
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Will LSG retain, trade or release the ₹27 crore star ahead of the 2027 mini-auction?
With Pant leaving the captaincy of LSG, the question now arises whether the franchise would retain his services for the upcoming series or if he will be released or traded to another team before the IPL 2027 mini-auction.
While Pant formally left the captaincy on Friday, reports emerged on Thursday that Mumbai Indians might remove Hardik Pandya as their captain after the five-time champions failed to make it to the IPL playoffs for the second time in three years under his leadership.
There are also rumours that the Pandya chapter at MI is also over, as the franchise is likely to release the India international all-rounder ahead of the new season.
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With Pandya set to exit MI, LSG might consider going after a seasoned campaigner like the 32-year-old if they plan to release Pant. The Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise might also consider exchanging Pant for Pandya in a trade deal with MI.
That could be a great deal for LSG; however, the more realistic future is one in which Pant continues as a player next season – one without the pressure of the captaincy. If he fails yet again, he could be released before the mega-auction in 2028.
MORE: New MI captain in IPL 2027? Pandya to lose captaincy – Report
The Cricket News Opinion: The price tag might have affected Pant during his LSG tenure
There is no doubt about Pant’s ability as a cricketer, as the southpaw has established himself as an important member of the Indian team across formats.
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Pant has also led Delhi Capitals with distinction in the past and his IPL record as a batter is also quite impressive. However, his LSG journey was far from ideal.
While it is difficult to guess what exactly worked against Pant at LSG, his INR 27 crore price tag could have had a psychological effect on the wicket-keeper batter, which affected his performance.
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