In a major development following a disappointing IPL 2026 season, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants. The franchise confirmed that Pant requested to be relieved of his leadership responsibilities, and the request has been accepted with immediate effect.
The decision comes after a difficult season for Lucknow Super Giants, who finished at the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table despite entering the tournament with high expectations. Pant, who was appointed captain ahead of the season, struggled both as a leader and as a batter.
Difficult Season for Rishabh Pant
The IPL 2026 campaign proved challenging for Pant, who managed to score only 312 runs across 14 innings. His inconsistent performances with the bat reflected the struggles of the team, which failed to find momentum throughout the tournament.
Reports suggesting a leadership change had surfaced earlier in the season, and the latest announcement has now confirmed those speculations.
LSG Confirms Captaincy Change
In an official statement released by the franchise, Lucknow Super Giants stated that Pant himself approached the management with a request to step away from captaincy duties.
The franchise said it had accepted the request respectfully and would now focus on rebuilding the squad ahead of future seasons.
Tom Moody Reacts to the Decision
LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody acknowledged Pant’s contribution to the team and described the decision as a difficult one.
According to Moody, the franchise remains grateful for Pant’s efforts as captain and will now concentrate on restructuring the team to achieve higher standards in the coming seasons.
What Next for Lucknow Super Giants?
With Pant no longer leading the side, attention will now shift to who could take over the captaincy role for IPL 2027. The franchise is expected to evaluate several options as part of its rebuilding process after one of the most disappointing seasons in its history.
Despite stepping down as captain, Pant remains one of India’s premier wicketkeeper-batters and is expected to continue playing a key role for the franchise in the future.
