Pant informed the franchise of his decision on Friday, and the development was announced via a statement from LSG’s director of cricket Tom Moody.
“Rishabh approached the franchisee with this request and we have respectfully accepted it,” Moody said. “These decisions are never easy. We are grateful for everything Rishabh has brought to this dressing room as captain. Our focus now is on the collective – rebuilding and restructuring to reach the best standards.”
Pant, 28, was the second captain at LSG after KL Rahul, who had led the team for three seasons from 2022 to 2024. After being released by Delhi Capitals, Pant was bought by LSG at the IPL 2025 mega auction for INR 27 crore (USD 3.21 million approximately), making him the most expensive player in the league’s history. In his inaugural message, Pant declared he would give his “200%” to LSG and was “looking forward to have a new beginning with new energy and just have a blast out there, and have lots of fun.”
There was little joy, however, for Pant and LSG. Under Pant’s leadership, LSG won 10 and lost 18 matches, finishing seventh in IPL 2025 and tenth in 2026. His own batting form has been poor in both seasons: he scored only 269 runs at a strike rate of 133.16 in IPL 2025, and 312 runs at a strike rate of 138.05 in IPL 2026.
Immediately after their last league match of the season against Punjab Kings last week, Moody indicated a leadership change would be discussed as part of the season review. “You do have to wonder whether that is a pressure that is reflected with his performance with the bat,” Moody had said. “I know that this season has been a difficult season for us, but we will reflect on it, we’ll take time, we’ll reflect on it. We’ll consider all things.”
In the statement, Moody did not mention a timeline for LSG appointing Pant’s successor. It remains to be seen whether the franchise, which is owned by the RPSG group, will wait for the IPL auction, likely in December, to name a new captain. LSG have a set of overseas senior players including Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran who are likely to be among the contenders.
