Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner, Sanjiv Goenka has almost confirmed that team captain Rishabh Pant will be retained by the franchise despite a poor performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
Sanjiv Goenka made the development public by sharing a post on his official X handle, days ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction retention deadline.
Rishabh Pant looked very sad in IPL 2025
28-year-old generation player Rishabh Pant created history in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction after being parted ways from Delhi Capitals (DC).
He was in high demand in the auction and after a bidding war with several teams, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) acquired his services for Rs 27 crore.
This made him the most expensive player in the history of the league and put tremendous pressure on him to justify his price tag heading into the season.
However, Pant failed to justify the huge amount spent on him by the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise. He looked poor with the bat during the season and his captaincy decisions on the field were also very poor.
Overall, in 14 matches, the wicketkeeper-batsman scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16. Of these, 118* runs came in Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) last league stage match, when he played a sensational innings in a losing cause.
Great discussions with Rishabh, Justin Langer and Bharat Arun while planning the upcoming season – Sanjiv Goenka
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) finished seventh on the points table with 6 wins and 12 points and a net run rate of -0.376.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, November 13, Sanjiv Goenka took to X to share a picture with LSG global cricket director Tom Moody, head coach Justin Langer, bowling coach Bharat Arun, captain Rishabh Pant and other LSG officials.
Rishabh Pant’s presence in the meeting confirms that LSG is in no mood to part ways with the wicketkeeper-batsman.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) tweeted on Twitter, “IPL retention talks are underway for @LucknowIPL. Delighted to have @TomMoodyCricket on board, who brings immense experience and strategic insight. Great discussions with @RishabhPant17, Justin Langer and Bharat Arun as we plan for the season ahead. #LSG.”
Negotiations for IPL retention @LucknowIPL Continuing.
glad to have @TomMoodyCricket On board, bringing immense experience and strategic insight. great discussion with @rishabhpant17Justin Langer, and Bharat Arun as we plan for the season ahead.#lsg pic.twitter.com/8R3GmQVHsy
– Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) 13 November 2025
Henrik Khasen on LSG radar?
Recently, former India opener Aakash Chopra had speculated that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) could target Heinrich Klaasen in the auction if Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) releases Heinrich Klaasen.
He said, “If Klaasen comes in the auction, LSG can consider him as he is also in their Durban team. Maybe they can consider any other bowler except Will O’Rourke. I think LSG will go into the auction with a lot of money.” (Via 2 Sluggers YouTube channel).
“SRH will not release Klaasen. You don’t spend Rs 23 crore just for one year. They also won’t release Ishan Kishan. Cameron Green will be the most expensive player. But to get him I don’t think they will release Klaasen. Maybe they will release Shami. If Klaasen comes in the auction, he will change the dynamics a lot.”
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