The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is in the business end of the competition. Fans have already got one finalist, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and are waiting for the winner of the Gujarat Titans/Rajasthan Royals. However, amidst this, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant has stepped down from his captaincy role ahead of the next season.
Rishabh Pant and his boys finished at the bottom of the table with 8 points, winning just four games and losing 10. They were the same points as Mumbai Indians (MI), but had a poor run rate. The Southpaw failed to lead the side to the playoffs for the second consecutive season and was also quiet with the bat.
Rishabh Pant steps down as captain
The recent developments coming, is that Rishabh Pant has asked the management to relive of his captaincy duties with the franchise in IPL. This is a massive decision to take as the management paid him INR 27 crore back in the 2025 auction and is currently the highest paid-player in the IPL history. In 2026, he scored 312 runs with an average just over 28.
“Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved of his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted his request with immediate effect.”
We have respectfully accepted it- Tom Moody on Pant stepping down as captain
“Rishabh approached the franchisee with this 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,” said Tom Moody, the Director of Cricket for LSG.
Rishabh Pant, since joining LSG with a lot of expectations after coming back from a horrific injury, was expected to shine in the IPL and take the franchise to new heights. But he failed as a leader, which affected his batting as well. Now relieved from his captaincy duties, it will be interesting to watch whether he will be there with the side or not.
As he might also be traded to another franchise or might play as a player for another season before being released in the mega auction in 2028. Since joining the Super Giants, he has scored 581 runs in 28 matches, showcasing a bit of consistency despite not producing huge numbers. Combining his 2025 and 2026 campaigns, he averages 26.41 with the bat and has scored at a healthy strike rate of 135.43.
| Season | Matches | NO | Runs | HS | Average | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | CT | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 2 | 312 | 68* | 28.36 | 226 | 138.05 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 11 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 | 14 | 2 | 269 | 118* | 24.45 | 202 | 133.17 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 16 | 5 | 1 |
Fans react to Rishabh Pant stepping down as captain
Spidey knows best Smart move to focus on what he does at his peak. All the best Pant!
— Vikram Sharma (@vikram_sharma11) May 29, 2026
PRESS RELEASE FROM LSG ON RISHABH PANT ✅
– New Leadership in IPL 2027. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/z22IfMzpzD
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 29, 2026
But Goenka wanted Pant to be captain for 10 years?😂
— Krishna Anand (@KrishnaAnand_) May 29, 2026
Goenka × Hardik is exactly the spice that the IPL and BCCI would want
Went after Pant Went to MI despite
despite warnings success with GT pic.twitter.com/m1jJRR50s9— Wren (@wrendom) May 29, 2026
But Is he leaving Lsg??
Why you guys giving half information that he is relieved as “Captain”
Is he leaving as player also???
— Joe Lee (@07x18goat) May 29, 2026
He didn’t wait to be sacked by Lord Goenka 🔥
— Rahul_PC 🇮🇳 (@Rahul_PC93) May 29, 2026
Hardik , Pant done . Next Rutu !!
— Bala (@Billybutcherr22) May 29, 2026
Also Read: “Winning the trophy”: R Ashwin declares Gujarat Titans as IPL 2026 winner
