Star India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has stepped down as the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after the team’s bottom-table finish in the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
LSG, in a social media post on Friday, announced that Pant requested to step down as captain, and the franchise accepted his decision with immediate effect.
LSG finished last in the IPL 2026 season with just four wins in 14 matches. Pant was the marquee signing for Lucknow Super Giants at the IPL 2025 auction, where the franchise secured him for Rs 27 crore. However, in the two seasons that Pant captained LSG, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs, leading to mounting criticism over the side’s inconsistent performances and lack of balance.
“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 franchisee has accepted his request with immediate effect,” the LSG said in a statement on Friday.
Lucknow Super Giants thanked Pant for his leadership and said the decision was difficult, adding that the team’s focus will now shift to rebuilding and improving overall performance.
“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 standards,” the statement added.
Sources close to the franchise indicated that the management is likely to appoint a new captain ahead of the next IPL season as part of a wider overhaul of the squad and support staff. Despite the disappointing results, Pant remained one of the few bright spots for LSG with his aggressive batting and commitment on the field. Fans and former cricketers have backed the wicketkeeper-batter, expressing confidence that he will bounce back strongly in future seasons and continue to play a vital role for India across formats.