Former Australian coach Justin Langer made no secret of his admiration for Rishabh Pant during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, frequently applauding Pant’s bold strokeplay. To him, Pant wasn’t just a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter for India but also Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) biggest hope for clinching the IPL title. After an intense bidding war in last year’s mega auction, Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history, securing a staggering ₹27 crore price tag. LSG, seeking a fresh leader following three underwhelming seasons under KL Rahul, saw Pant as the perfect opportunity.
While appointing Pant as captain was a mere formality, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka’s comments about the young cricketer carried weight. Goenka expressed confidence in Pant’s longevity and success with the franchise. “Surely Rishabh Pant will play for at least 14-15 years for us; we hope at least five IPL titles in these years,” Goenka stated.
Goenka didn’t shy away from comparisons to IPL legends. “People say that MI and CSK are more successful. Mahi and Rohit are undeniably brilliant. Mark my words, after 10 years, people will say, Mahi, Rohit, and Rishabh,” he remarked. Dhoni and Rohit each have five IPL titles to their names with CSK and MI, respectively. With a new IPL season approaching, Goenka is backing Pant to emerge as one of the league’s greatest leaders.
Goenka further praised Pant’s passion and hunger to win. “In my belief, time will prove that he is not only the most successful player of the IPL, but he is going to be the best player of the IPL. I haven’t seen players with that kind of passion and hunger to win,” he said.
Pant, no stranger to captaincy, previously led Delhi Capitals for three seasons, guiding them in 43 matches, with 24 wins and a 56% success rate. However, his appointment as Delhi’s captain in 2021 was initially due to Shreyas Iyer’s injury. With LSG, Pant now takes on the role by design, not by chance.
The weight of a ₹27 crore price tag can often pressure players, but Goenka dismissed such concerns. “The price tag ended when the auction concluded. Every team has spent 120 crores. It is not relevant how much you spend on a single player or the rest,” he said.
Goenka also emphasized Pant’s unconventional thinking as a key factor in his leadership potential. “His thought process is a little different. If you go with a conventional thought process, then it isn’t unique. I see an in-born leader in him. According to me, he will be the best captain that IPL has ever seen,” he added.
Pant’s move to LSG wasn’t without competition; teams like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore were also vying for his signature. However, LSG’s determination ensured they landed their top target. “I was clear that I wanted him, and I would take it,” Goenka concluded.
