Rishabh Pant Didn't Step Down, Was Sacked As LSG Captain After Poor IPL 2026

Last Updated:June 22, 2026, 09:20 IST

A report claims Rishabh Pant felt not valued at LSG after being removed as captain and has decided to leave the franchise.

A couple of days before the IPL 2026 final, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) officially announced that star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s request to step down as captain had been accepted following a forgettable season in which the franchise finished last in the 10-team competition.

“Rishabh approached the franchisee with his request and we have respectfully accepted it. 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," LSG said in a brief statement on their website.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that Pant is set to return to his former franchise, Delhi Capitals, in a trade deal that would see Kuldeep Yadav move to LSG.

According to reports, Pant is willing to take a pay cut to rejoin DC – a franchise he was part of for eight seasons.

However, a fresh report has claimed that Pant did not voluntarily relinquish the captaincy and was instead removed by the LSG management. Following the decision, the 28-year-old reportedly chose to leave the franchise as he felt undervalued.

“Questions are being raised over the haste with which Pant was removed as captain immediately after the IPL season. At the same time, Pant too appeared keen to secure a move elsewhere rather than continue with a franchise where he no longer felt valued," Cricblogger quoted a source as claiming.

LSG had shelled out a jaw-dropping Rs 27 crore to sign Pant at the IPL mega auction, the highest amount ever paid for a player in the history of IPL auctions.

However, the association now appears to be nearing its end after just two seasons, with LSG failing to qualify for the playoffs for a third consecutive year.

Pant endured a challenging stint with LSG, facing constant scrutiny over both the team’s underwhelming performances and his own returns with the bat. Across 28 matches for the franchise, he scored 581 runs at a strike rate of 135.7.

News cricket Rishabh Pant Didn't Step Down, Was Sacked As LSG Captain After Poor IPL 2026

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