Rishabh Pant’s troubles at Lucknow Super Giants may not be fully over yet, even though he has taken a major step toward ending the loudest speculation. By stepping down from the captaincy, the wicketkeeper-batter has effectively paused questions about his immediate leadership role at the franchise. However, stepping aside as skipper does not automatically translate into a secure spot in the playing XI for the next season, and the possibility of his release is still very much on the table. While Pant may ultimately be the one to make way—especially given the franchise’s recent struggles—Nicholas Pooran could be spared, despite also being part of a crop that has not delivered consistently enough for their hefty price tags.
The core issue for LSG appears to be cost versus impact. Pant’s retention price of INR 27 crore is difficult to justify if the franchise believes the return hasn’t matched expectations. Sources close to the setup suggest that, with coaches such as Tom Moody, Justin Langer and Kane Williamson in place, the management’s thinking remains pragmatic: a release could be an “imminent possibility.” No official call has been communicated yet, but the direction of internal conversations is understood to be leaning toward better value for the money that Pant commanded at the 2025 auction. In short, even if a decision is still pending, the mood suggests the team may look elsewhere rather than keep paying a premium for production that hasn’t quite arrived.
Evaluating Pant’s numbers from his LSG stint only adds weight to that line of thought. In two seasons across 28 matches, he scored 581 runs at a strike rate of 135.74, averaging 26.40. As captain, his record is even more modest: a win percentage of 35.71, with only 10 victories in those 28 games. This season, Lucknow struggled badly, ending the campaign at the bottom of the points table. They managed just four wins in 14 matches, leaving them with a win rate of 28.5%, a finish that naturally intensifies calls for change across the squad.
Earlier in the day, LSG confirmed that Pant would step down as captain. The franchise said that Pant had approached the team with the request and that it was accepted. Moody, the director of cricket, also acknowledged how difficult such decisions are, while stressing the need to focus on collective improvement. He noted that the franchise is thankful for what Pant brought to the dressing room in his leadership role and added that their priority now is rebuilding and restructuring to reach the highest standards going forward.
With the team finishing 10th and the prospect of an overhaul growing, attention quickly turns to who might stay and who might go. Pooran, retained for INR 21 crore, may have a better chance of surviving any purge. There has been ongoing debate in IPL circles about how the combined value of Pooran and Pant—together close to INR 48 crore, around 40% of the purse—has translated on the field. Their joint returns have not fully lived up to the scale of investment, and that has kept the retention conversations alive. This year, Pooran scored 234 runs, which again fell short of what many would expect from a player carrying such a significant price tag.
Yet the management’s view may not be shaped solely by this season’s output. Pooran delivered a strong campaign last year, posting a 500-plus tally with 524 runs, and that prior form could give him some breathing room as LSG plan ahead. Indications suggest that the franchise may still choose to show faith in the West Indian batter for the next season, despite the clear dissatisfaction that has followed this year’s results.
