Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka has high expectations for Rishabh Pant, who has been officially announced as the team’s captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Sanjiv Goenka stated that Rishabh Pant has the potential to become the best captain India has ever seen.
On Monday, January 20, Goenka had a special chat with Pant in Kolkata. The Super Giants have broken the bank to acquire the services of the left-handed batsman for the upcoming and future seasons. Pant, the most expensive player in IPL history, was bought by LSG for Rs 27 crore.
Rishabh Pant Can Win Atleast 5-6 IPL Titles – Sanjiv Goenka
Sanjiv Goenka wants Rishabh Pant to lead the team to greatness both as a player and captain. Goenka predicted that Pant will win at least 5-6 IPL titles in the next 10-15 years, placing him alongside cricket legends like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as one of the tournament’s greatest captains.
“He will play for 10-15 years. He can win at least 5-6 IPL titles during this period. People will say, ‘Mahi, Rohit, Rishabh,'” Goenka said.
Pant was released by Delhi Capitals after the 2024 IPL season, ending a nine-year association with the franchise. Pant has leadership experience both in Delhi capitals and on the international stage. He becomes the fourth player to take up this role for LSG after Krunal Pandya, KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran.
We kept a budget of Rs 27 Crore for Rishabh Pant – Sanjiv Goenka
Goenka revealed that Lucknow Super Giants are determined to buy Pant during the IPL 2025 auction. They had budgeted Rs 27 crore for him and were adamant about securing his services.
“We had kept a budget of Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant. We were adamant about getting it (during the IPL auction),” said Goenka.
The Super Giants are still looking for their first IPL title since their debut in 2022. Despite making the playoffs in the first two seasons, they failed to reach the finals. The Lucknow-based franchise finished seventh and missed the playoffs in 2024 and will be hoping to win their first title in 2025.
He will probably be the Best Captain IPL Has Seen – Sanjiv Goenka
Sanjiv Goenka wants Pant to be the greatest player in IPL history. Goenka praised Pant for his relaxed yet passionate leadership style and expressed confidence that he can be the best captain the IPL has ever seen.
“Rishabh Pant will be the best player not only of LSG but also of IPL. I have never seen someone so enthusiastic. He is the boy next door; his relationship with players and teams and his thought process is different. Traditional thought processes lack uniqueness,” shared Goenka.
“I see him as a leader. He will probably be the best captain IPL has ever seen,” he added.
The owner of LSG emphasized the importance of creating mutual trust within the team. He admitted that Pant may be familiar with some players and not others. Goenka noted that winning is the ultimate goal, but both wins and losses are part of the journey.
“Rishabh Pant knows some players and others he doesn’t. We need to create a platform of mutual trust. At the end of the day, you want to win. You won’t win every game – losing and winning are part of it. You learn to accept defeat with victory,” said Goenka.
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 owner Sanjiv Goenka has high expectations for Rishabh Pant, who has been officially announced as the team's captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 season.){kind=link}