Nicholas Pant! Rishabh Pant Unveils Hilarious New Nickname For LSG Teammate

Rishabh Pant gives new nickname to Nicholas Pooran [Source: AFP]

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were put into bat first by the Delhi Capitals in their opening match of the IPL 2026 season on Wednesday, April 1. At the toss, captain Rishabh Pant spoke about his team’s renewed mindset and identity after sustaining a disappointing finish last year in IPL 2025.

The senior Indian wicketkeeper-batter also confirmed LSG’s four overseas players for the match against the Capitals, and jokingly described Nicholas Pooran with a new nickname in the team.

Rishabh Pant talks about LSG’s new identity

Ahead of LSG’s opening match of the IPL 2026 season against Delhi Capitals on April 1, captain Rishabh Pant acknowledged his team’s new identity that has seemingly arrived with the change in jersey colours and a new logo.

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The cricketer said that apart from changing the jersey design and the logo, the LSG franchise will also be playing the IPL 2026 season with a “completely new energy”. He said “I think it's a completely new energy for sure. We have changed our colour, logo and definitely the mindset from the last year. We are also working on the negative stuff for sure. We are feeling good and I think that's the only thing I am going to say. I am feeling good and rearing to roar.”

Pant reveals Nicholas Pooran’s ‘new name’

Rishabh Pant also confirmed LSG’s four overseas players for the match. The senior Indian wicketkeeper-batter stated that while the likes of Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran will be returning to the XI, the team management has added South African quick Anrich Nortje as the fourth overseas player in the composition.

Pant also jokingly stated that the LSG franchise has “changed” Nicholas Pooran’s name to Nicholas Pant, thus likely implying that the former West Indies cricketer has seamlessly blended into the squad and shares a similar mindset like his captain.

The LSG captain said “3 overseas players are same - Markram, Marsh & Pooran. Nortje adds in as the fourth. We have changed Nicholas Pooran's name to Nicholas Pant (chuckles).”

LSG unleash formidable playing XI vs Delhi Capitals

The LSG team, under the leadership of Rishabh Pant, is crossing paths with Delhi Capitals at the iconic Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, April 1. The match marks the opening league fixture for both sides in the tournament.

Ahead of the match, captain Pant stated LSG’s playing XI, confirming the franchise debut of legendary Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami. The speedster will be pair with fellow pacemen Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav and Anrich Nortje.

Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh will continue to remain as LSG openers after their prolific IPL 2025 season last year. Captain Pant himself is listed at number three, and he will be accompanied by middle order batters like Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad and Mukul Choudhary.

LSG’s playing XI:

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c and wk), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav and Anrich Nortje.

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