Rishabh Pant has officially signed out as LSG captain after IPL 2026 [Source: X]In a massive development, Rishabh Pant, the LSG skipper, has been relieved of his duties on May 29. After a dismal performance by Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 and a disappointing group-stage exit, the franchise announced the decision on its official social media handle. Notably, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter has led the team for two seasons and hasn’t delivered the results Sanjiv Goenka desired, despite multiple backings. The development of Rishabh Pant being relieved of his duties as LSG skipper was announced by Tom Moody, the franchise's Director of Cricket. Rishabh Pant IPL Leadership Of LSG Rishabh Pant who joined Lucknow Siper Giants foir a mammoth record breaking price of 27.00 crore INR after the IPL 2025 mega auction finished 7th on the points table in the previous season. The results are much poorer this season, as Pant exited, with LSG finishing at the bottom of IPL 2026. However, Pant's salary in IPL 2026 remained the same despite the failure, as he was retained with 27 crore INR. Under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy, LSG have played 28 IPL matches and won only 10 out of them while losing 17. Although Sanjiv Goenka have backed the LSG skipper on multiple instances, it seems like the final straw was the 2026 season. Why And How Rishabh Pant Was Sacked By LSG? In an interesting twist to the development, Pant himself has requested the management to relieve him from his captaincy duties. Which means, it was more of Pant stepping down as the leader rather than LSG sacking the player due to the poor results. “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,” the LSG post said. Tom Moody further cleared the air on the news by adding the fact that the decision for Pant stepping down was never easy, and now LSG will look forward to building the team around a new captain ahead of the IPL 2027 season. “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 standard,” Moody said. This untimely sacking had netizens pull out their mobile phones to troll the decision. Let's take a look at how the internet reacted to Rishabh Pant's captaincy end for LSG:HAIDER @BeingKohlii We all know that, next they will release Rishabh Pant. The guy who looked destined to deliver 5–6 trophies was stripped of the captaincy after just one season. Peak franchise management masterclass. 😭😭 Shubham @shubham37736431 You can never win ipl @DrSanjivGoenka . You change your captain in every 2 year and want to win ipl ,i can't see this happening . Release rishabh pant now . arfan @Im__Arfan "Rishabh Pant requested to relieve him from Captaincy" May 29, 2026, 5:20 PM - @arkaneeeeee @mufaddal_vohra Pant has to go back to his chapri era if he wants to perform in the IPL again May 29, 2026, 5:23 PM Gagan🇮🇳 @1no_aalsi_ LSG released Rishabh Pant MI released Hardik Pandya Meanwhile CSK fans : May 29, 2026, 5:32 PM CHICO @CHICOx58 @riseup_pant17 Thank you Rishabh Pant for nothing🙏😌 SID🇮🇳 #LSG @Lord_Siddharth @mufaddal_vohra Pant removed as Captain May 29, 2026, 5:41 PM Hunटरर ♂ @nickhunterr @LucknowIPL Meanwhile rishab pant . 😭 May 29, 2026, 5:46 PM The Brevis @Ben10Brevis LSG made Rishabh Pant their Captain thinking he will be their captain for next 10 years. But had to sack him within 2 years because he couldn’t provide them results. CSK has also given 2 full years to Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and it is also not working. Should we wait for 2-3 The Wobble Seam @thewobbleseam @LucknowIPL Translation : Rishabh Pant was forced to relinquish the captaincy to save face or he would be sacked officially. Baburao @Baburao14577361 @LucknowIPL Rishabh Pant May 29, 2026, 5:40 PM LSG, The Most Cursed Franchise Of The IPL?Coming into existence in 2022, LSG is a relatively new team in the premier domestic tournament, but Gujarat Titans, apparently, the same year's debutants, have been in a much better position than the Goenka-owned team. The major chunk of leadership for LSG was handled by KL Rahul and Pant, and even though the latter was a disappointment with his captaincy, KL Rahul too disappointed. His seasons saw him play 37 matches and win only 20. LSG boasts one of the most formidable power hitters and firebrand openers in T20 cricket, yet they still struggle to reach the Playoffs, having made it only twice in the Eliminators of IPL 2022 and IPL 2023. Nevertheless, to say LSG is cursed would be too early, since it is only 4 years old and might need much longer to build a stable core under a new leader to achieve success like the champion teams of CSK or MI. Also Read- IPL Franchises Where Hardik Pandya Could Land After Mumbai Indians Snub
