Rishabh Pant has shattered all previous records in IPL history after being picked by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for an astounding INR 27 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. This jaw-dropping price tag makes Pant the most expensive player ever in the league, overtaking all past benchmarks.
The bidding war between LSG and Delhi Capitals (DC) was intense, with Delhi exercising their Right to match (RTM) card after LSG initially placed a bid of INR 20.75 crore. However, the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise showed no hesitation, adding INR 6.25 crore to the bid and securing Pant for a record-breaking sum. The acquisition has set a high bar, making Pant’s addition the most talked-about move ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
Will Rishabh Pant Lead LSG in IPL 2025? Sanjiv Goenka reacts
With Pant’s stature in cricket and his leadership experience, speculation has already started about him taking over the captaincy of LSG. When asked if Pant would lead the team, franchise owner Goenka kept the excitement alive with a cryptic response.
“Bataunga, bataunga, very soon. (I’ll let you know). Let the auction get over, and we will tell you. Will inform you all very soon,” Goenka said in a chat with Cricbuzz, keeping fans on edge about the leadership plans for the team.
Given Pant’s aggressive approach to cricket and his never-say-die attitude, he seems a natural fit for the captaincy role. His ability to lead under pressure, coupled with his experience in the IPL and international cricket, could make him the driving force behind LSG’s pursuit of their maiden title.
Also WATCH: Rishabh Pant’s heartening reaction after LSG ropes him for INR 27 crore at IPL mega auction
Why Pant was acquired at such a high price?
Goenka also offered clarity on why the franchise went all out for Pant, stating that the decision was not about creating headlines but part of a well-thought-out strategy.
“This was not about one individual player. It was not about egos. Did we want to have the most expensive player? No. At the end of the day, this does not mean very much to the franchise,” explained Goenka.
The LSG owner further highlighted Pant’s resilience and determination, traits that perfectly align with the franchise’s vision.
“It is about somebody who brings dynamism, a never-say-die attitude. The very fact that he recovered from a near-fatal accident and came back to top form shows his resilience and determination. That is the kind of attitude we want. We want people who have an appetite to win and have a track record of winning,” added Goenka.
The decision to invest so heavily in Pant also reflects his ability to change the course of a game single-handedly, a quality that LSG believes will be critical in their journey to success.
