LSG Owner Sanjiv Goenka Decides Rishabh Pant Captaincy Future Before IPL 2026

Goenka gives verdict on Pant's future [Source: AFP]

The IPL 2026 season is set to commence on Saturday, 28 March, and ten teams will compete for the coveted trophy. Out of the ten teams competing, only three have never tasted success in the IPL, and one of them is the Lucknow Super Giants, led by Rishabh Pant. Established just four seasons ago, the team has reached multiple knockouts but has not won the trophy. 

After KL Rahul was removed from the team, the LSG side needed a new captain to take the mantle forward, and they picked the former Delhi Capitals skipper, Rishabh Pant. The maverick batter was picked in the IPL 2025 mega auction, and was immediately assigned the captaincy duties by team owner, Sanjiv Goenka.

However, the captaincy affected his batting, as the southpaw could only amass 269 runs in 14 games last season, and a hundred of those runs came in his last innings. This also led to the franchise having a poor season, as they failed to qualify for the playoffs, and speculations began regarding Pant’s future as LSG captain.

Sanjiv Goenka gives massive verdict on Pant's LSG captaincy future

Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka released his official statement on Pant’s future, and he backed the 28-year-old to take the franchise to glory in the future.

"Heading into the season, I had read the speculations around @RishabhPant17's captaincy and smiled. We’ve spent enough time together to know his character and commitment. Have a great season, Cap!"

Dr. Sanjiv Goenka

@DrSanjivGoenka

Heading into the season, I had read the speculations around @RishabhPant17's captaincy and smiled. We’ve spent enough time together to know his character and commitment. Have a great season, Cap! @LucknowIPL #IPL2026

Mar 26, 2026, 11:13 AM

This statement gave assurance to Pant that the former Delhi Capitals skipper will be in charge of the LSG squad when the IPL 2026 commences. Moreover, with a settled unit, this time around, Pant is expected to deliver the goods for the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise.

How Pant's performance affected LSG in IPL 2025

KL Rahul had a disastrous IPL 2024, both as a player and as a captain, and hence, he was removed by the team owner. Saniv Goenka replaced KL Rahul with Rishabh Pant, and it was expected that things would get better with a dynamic leader at the helm.

However, nobody expected that Pant would flop badly in the IPL 2025, as the 27 crore signing couldn’t deliver the goods, and played with a strike-rate of just 133.

Pant’s woeful form put pressure on the other batters, and it also affected his captaincy as the franchise finished seventh, with just 6 wins out of 14.

Also Read: IPL Founder Lalit Modi Calls LSG Owner Clown, Jay Shah Dragged Into Controversy

Goenka's past relations with captains was a worrying sign for Pant

Pant fans were worried because Goenka doesn’t have a good relationship with his past IPL captains, and MS Dhoni and KL Rahul are prime examples of it.

MS Dhoni was made the Rising Pune Supergiant captain in 2016, and after an underwhelming campaign, where the team failed, MS Dhoni, the legendary captain, was removed from his post, and Steve Smith was given the captaincy duties.

Similarly, when KL Rahul was made the LSG skipper, a lot was expected of the former Punjab Kings skipper, but just like MSD, KL Rahul couldn’t do much for the newly-formed IPL side. In the 2024 season, Goenka also lashed out at his skipper in public, which worsened the relations between the two.

As a result, when the mega auction came in 2025, KL Rahul was released, and Pant was brought in as a replacement. Another poor IPL season could put Pant’s captaincy future in danger.

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