Lucknow Super Giants and Rishabh Pant have officially decided to part ways in leadership after a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign, with the wicketkeeper-batter stepping down as captain with immediate effect. The franchise confirmed the development on Friday, May 29, stating that Pant himself requested to be relieved of captaincy duties and the management accepted his decision. Pant was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for a massive ₹27 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction, making him one of the most expensive players in IPL history.

The franchise viewed him as the face of their long-term project and handed him the captaincy immediately after his arrival from the Delhi Capitals. However, the move failed to deliver the expected results over the next two seasons. Under Pant’s leadership, Lucknow Super Giants struggled badly and failed to qualify for the playoffs in both IPL 2025 and IPL 2026. Their 2026 campaign turned into a complete disaster, with the franchise managing only four wins in 14 matches and finishing at the bottom of the points table.

LSG had earlier won only six games during the 2025 season, meaning Rishabh Pant ended his captaincy stint with just 10 victories from 28 matches. “Lucknow Super Giants wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved of his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted his request with immediate effect,” the official statement read.

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Pant’s individual batting form also declined significantly during his time with Lucknow. After scoring 446 runs for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, expectations were extremely high. But across two seasons with LSG, Pant managed only 581 runs in 28 matches at an average of 26.4 and a strike rate of 135.74.

Official announcement. pic.twitter.com/7WeOwpkDr6

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 29, 2026

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody, who has been associated with the franchise setup, supported the decision and admitted the team now needs a fresh direction.

“These decisions are never easy. We are grateful for everything Rishabh has brought to this dressing room as captain. Our focus now is on rebuilding and restructuring,” Tom Moody said.

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Lucknow Super Giants will now begin their search for a new captain, with experienced international leaders like Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran emerging as possible candidates for the role ahead of IPL 2027.