Rishabh Pant Set for Captaincy Axing After LSG’s IPL 2026 Collapse

Leadership in Crisis: Pant’s LSG Captaincy Nears End

Lucknow Super Giants’ hopes in IPL 2026 were dashed in the most deflating way possible — a comprehensive defeat to the Punjab Kings. The loss confirmed their last-place finish on the points table, marking the second consecutive season the franchise has failed to qualify for the playoffs.

At the center of the storm is Rishabh Pant, the most expensive player in IPL history, whose tenure as captain now looks unsustainable. Signed for a record INR 27 crores, expectations were sky-high. Instead, results have been painfully underwhelming.

A Captain Without Impact

Pant, celebrated for his explosive batting and dynamic presence, was handed both the gloves and the leadership reins after his release from Delhi Capitals. The Lucknow-based franchise banked on his match-winning abilities and charisma to transform their fortunes.

But two seasons on, the returns have been starkly disappointing. In IPL 2025, Pant scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45 — far below what’s expected from a top-order mainstay, let alone a captain.

This season hasn’t been much better. Across 13 innings in IPL 2026, he managed just 312 runs, averaging below 30 and striking at a modest 138.05 — numbers that don’t reflect match-altering impact.

His captaincy record is equally concerning. Out of 28 matches at the helm, Pant has led LSG to only 11 wins — a win rate of just under 40%. With leadership comes accountability, and in 2026, that accountability has come due.

Moody Signals Leadership Overhaul

Following the Punjab Kings defeat, LSG’s Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, didn’t mince words.

“When it comes to the leadership of the franchise, it’s certainly something that we’ll be taking some very serious consideration to what it looks like in the future. Like every department, when you do reflect on a season, we will be making some considered decisions.”

While the door wasn’t fully closed on Pant’s captaincy, the message was clear: change is coming. After back-to-back group-stage exits, complacency is no longer an option.

Who Will Lead LSG in IPL 2027?

Two names are emerging as potential successors to Rishabh Pant: Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram.

Marsh, a seasoned all-rounder and former national team regular, brings experience and power-hitting depth. However, his injury history — especially recurring side strains — makes him a risky long-term leadership bet for a franchise already struggling with consistency.

On the other hand, Aiden Markram emerges as the more compelling candidate. With a proven track record as South Africa’s T20I captain, his 56 wins in 110 T20 matches highlight strategic acumen and calm under pressure. His leadership guided Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the SA20 title, a feat that underscores his ability to build and execute winning culture.

• Mitchell Marsh: Experienced but injury-prone
• Aiden Markram: Proven leader, high success rate, fit profile

Given LSG’s need for stability and direction, Markram’s credentials make him the logical choice to steer the franchise into a new era.

What’s Next for Rishabh Pant?

Pant may retain his place in the playing XI as a batter and wicketkeeper, but his role as leader appears increasingly untenable. The franchise, backed by Sanjiv Goenka’s vision, demands results — and accountability.

With IPL 2027 on the horizon, Lucknow Super Giants stand at a crossroads. Letting go of a star name is never easy, but sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that pave the way for revival.

If Pant is removed as captain, it won’t be a dismissal of his talent — but a reckoning of his leadership’s effectiveness in high-stakes cricket.