New Delhi: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) unveiled star Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant as their new captain ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 in Kolkata on Monday. Pant was LSG’s top buy at the IPL 2025 mega auction as the franchise spent a whopping Rs 27 crore to make the India star the most expensive player of all time in IPL history.
Speaking at the special event after being named the captain of the franchise, Pant, who parted ways with Delhi Capitals (DC) to enter the mega auction, took a brutal dig at rivals Punjab Kings (PBKS). Pant made a cheeky remark about Punjab Kings stating that he was only worried about getting picked by them at the mega auction considering their huge purse.
Pant said he was ‘tensed’ Punjab Kings might target him at the IPL 2025 mega auction and secure his signature as they came in with the biggest purse of Rs 110 crore. However, PBKS didn’t enter the nodding war for Pant as they spent a whopping Rs 26.75 crore on Indian batter Shreyas Iyer, making him the second-most expensive signing of all time at an IPL auction.
“Mereko andar se ek hi ka tension tha, woh tha Punjab (I was tensed about one thing, and that was (getting picked by) Punjab),” Pant said during his unveiling event in Kolkata on Monday.
“Punjab had 112 crore so if they wanted to..but when Shreyas went there, I was like I can go to LSG now,” he added.
Rishabh Pant Literally Cooked Punjab Kings ๐ญ๐ญ pic.twitter.com/w4F6pds9kd
โ ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌโ๐งโ (@jod_insane) January 20, 2025
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and LSG were involved in an intense bidding war for Pant at the IPL 2025 mega auction. LSG won the bidding war at Rs 20.75 crore but DC decided to exercise their RTM option on Pant. However, when given a chance to raise their bid, LSG dramatically raised it to a stunning Rs 27 crore, fending off any possible competition as they managed to land Pant successfully.
Shreyas Iyer to lead Punjab Kings
While Pant will be leading LSG next season, Iyer will be captaining the Punjab Kings after being bought by the franchise for a staggering sum. Iyer enjoyed a phenomenal 2024 where he led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title before inspiring Mumbai to a memorable triumph in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.
Iyer also won the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup titles with Mumbai while playing a key role in his team’s triumphs. The star batter will be now looking to continue his impressive run at Punjab Kings and end the franchise’s wait for their maiden IPL title.
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