Kolkata, India: Cricket fans in India are abuzz with anticipation as star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant arrived in Kolkata last night. Pant’s arrival coincides with the upcoming Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) gala event scheduled for Monday, where he is widely expected to be announced as the team’s new captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
Green Entertainment Owner Welcomes Pant
Adding credence to the captaincy rumors, Mazhar Bharadwaj, owner of Green Entertainment, was reportedly present at the Kolkata airport to receive Rishabh Pant upon his arrival. This personal touch by the franchise owner further fuels speculation about Pant’s leadership role.
LSG Seeks Strong Leadership After Rahul Era
The LSG camp has been tight-lipped about the captaincy decision. However, considering the hefty price tag of Rs 27 crore paid for Pant at the auction (the highest for any player), and his experience leading the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the past, his appointment as captain seems highly likely.
Pant’s Delhi Capitals Stint: A Turning Point
Pant’s relationship with DC soured over captaincy discussions. Despite DC’s interest in retaining him, their hesitation to fully commit to him as leader prompted him to enter the auction pool. This move ultimately paid off for Pant, securing him a lucrative contract with LSG and potentially a captaincy role.
LSG Aims to Bounce Back with Pant at the Helm
KL Rahul led LSG through their initial three IPL seasons (2022-2024), achieving playoff appearances in the first two years but falling short of the finals. The 2024 season, however, proved disappointing, with LSG finishing a lowly seventh.
The franchise, owned by the Goenka Group, sought a strong Indian leader to succeed Rahul and found their answer in Rishabh Pant. They aggressively pursued him at the auction, ultimately outbidding other interested teams.
Pant’s Supporting Cast Ready for Action
LSG has built a strong squad around Pant, featuring key overseas players like David Miller, Mitchell Marsh, and Aiden Markram. Indian talents like Akash Deep and Avesh Khan will bolster the bowling attack. While Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, and Ayush Badoni were retained, Pant’s leadership is expected to provide the team with a much-needed edge.
Eyes on Pant as He Gears Up for IPL 2025
With Zaheer Khan as team mentor and Justin Langer as head coach, Rishabh Pant has a strong support system in place. All eyes are now on the upcoming LSG gala event in Kolkata, where the official announcement regarding Pant’s captaincy is highly anticipated.
