Rishabh pants and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) They officially parted ways in terms of leadership after the goalkeeper stepped down as captain following disappointment. IPL 2026 season. The franchise confirmed the development in an official statement on social media, ending Pant’s two-year tenure as the captain of the Lucknow-based side. The franchise saw him as the face of a new era after the departure of the former captain KL Rahul. However, results on the field have not lived up to expectations as the team has struggled in both seasons under his leadership.
Lucknow Super Giants confirm Pant’s decision
LSG released an official statement confirming that Pant himself has approached the management to resign as captain. The franchise accepted the decision with immediate effect. LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody also addressed the situation and admitted that the franchise is now looking to rebuild after a difficult campaign.
“The successful Super Giants would like to officially announce that Rishabh Pant has applied to be relieved of the captaincy of the franchise and the franchise has accepted his request immediately. Rishabh has approached the franchise with this request and we have respectfully accepted it. These decisions have never been easy. Our focus is now on the team – rebuilding and rebuilding to achieve the best standards.” the statement said.
Here is the post:
Official announcement. pic.twitter.com/7WeOwpkDr6
– Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 29, 2026
Pant has struggled as captain and batter for LSG
Pant came to LSG with high expectations after being bought for a record price of INR 27.50 crore ahead of IPL 2025. His tenure as captain, despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, never materialized. LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs in both seasons under his leadership and hit rock bottom in IPL 2026 after only four wins in 14 matches.
The franchise also endured a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign where they won just six matches. In total, Pant has won only 10 matches in 28 matches as the captain of the team. His batting performances also declined significantly at this stage. After scoring runs for 446 Delhi Capitals (DC) Before joining LSG in IPL 2024, Pant managed a total of 269 runs in IPL 2025. Consistency remained a major concern, though it improved slightly with 312 runs in IPL 2026.
In his two seasons with LSG, Pant scored 581 runs in 28 matches at an average of 26.4 and a strike rate of 135.74, including a century and two half-centuries.
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Who can be the next LSG captain?
With Pant’s resignation, Lucknow Super Giants will begin their search for a new captain ahead of the next IPL season. The board already has several experienced leadership candidates.
Aiden Markram is seen as one of the leaders, especially given his leadership experience with Durban Super Giants in SA20 and Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred. Big overseas stars like it Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran having captained their national teams in the past, there are also possible options.
Lucknow will now hope that the direction of the new leadership will help the franchise recover and become playoff contenders again after a difficult IPL 2026 season.
