Rishabh Pant took over as captain of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, showcasing his leadership skills. Under his captaincy, the team achieved consistent performances, including a top-table finish in 2021. Known for his aggressive style and tactical acumen, Pant has established himself as a promising leader, contributing both as a batsman and a wicket-keeper.
Rishabh Pant Joins Lucknow Super Giants for INR 27 Crores in IPL 2025
On Monday, January 20, LSG announced that Pant will take over as the captain for the upcoming season. This marks a significant shift in Pant’s IPL career, as he will represent a franchise other than Delhi Capitals (DC) for the first time since his debut in 2016. Over eight seasons with DC, Pant amassed 3284 runs in 111 matches at an impressive strike rate of 149.
Pant’s acquisition made headlines as he became the most expensive player in IPL auction history, breaking Shreyas Iyer’s record of INR 26.75 crores, which was set just moments earlier.
A New Era for LSG
Pant will lead LSG after the franchise had a lackluster season in 2024, finishing seventh on the table with 14 points from 14 matches. The team’s decision to part ways with KL Rahul, their captain since 2022, paved the way for Pant’s leadership.
Rishabh Pant’s Captaincy Journey
Pant brings considerable leadership experience to LSG, having first captained in IPL 2021 when Shreyas Iyer was sidelined by injury. Under Pant’s captaincy, DC finished as league-stage table toppers that year, securing 10 wins and 20 points. However, they fell short in the playoffs, losing to Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 and Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 2.
Pant’s subsequent seasons as captain saw mixed results. DC finished fifth in 2022, narrowly missing the playoffs. After being sidelined for the 2023 season due to a car accident, Pant returned in 2024, leading his team to a sixth-place finish.
Captaincy Record and Batting Prowess
In 43 matches as captain, Pant has secured 23 wins, 19 losses, and 1 tie, with a win-loss ratio of 1.21. As a leader, he has also excelled with the bat, scoring 1205 runs at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 144, including six half-centuries.
As Pant takes the reins at LSG, fans and analysts alike will eagerly await his impact on the team’s performance and his ability to inspire a turnaround in their fortunes.
| Season | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Ties | Win Percentage | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Delhi Capitals | 16 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 62.5% | Finished 1st in league stage; eliminated in playoffs (Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 losses). |
| 2022 | Delhi Capitals | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 50% | Finished 5th, narrowly missing playoffs. |
| 2023 | – | – | – | – | – | – | Missed season due to injury. |
| 2024 | Delhi Capitals | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 50% | Finished 6th; another season outside playoff contention. |
| Overall | 43 | 23 | 19 | 1 | 53.49% | Consistent performer, though team struggled to advance deep into playoffs. |
