The stage was prepared for Rishabh Pant to officially assume the role of captain for the Lucknow Super Giants. The event, held in Kolkata and attended by LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka and former Indian fast bowler and current team mentor Zaheer Khan, was intended to celebrate Pant's association with the franchise. Notably, he was the most expensive acquisition in the tournament's history. However, the proceedings were delayed as Pant arrived over an hour late. The reason for the keeper-batter's tardiness remained unclear, prompting Sanjiv Goenka to extend an apology at the outset of the event.

Without further delay, Goenka presented the PSG jersey to Pant and formally announced him as the new captain. Pant expressed his commitment to the franchise, stating he would give his utmost effort.

"I will give my 200 per cent. That's my commitment to you. I will strive to repay the trust placed in me. I am genuinely excited and eager for this new beginning, bringing fresh energy and enjoyment," Pant conveyed to the media following his introduction as captain.

"We embark on this journey with renewed hope and aspirations, and most importantly, with newfound confidence. I am pleased to introduce our new captain, Rishabh Pant," Goenka remarked.

This marks Pant's second leadership role in the IPL.

Can costliest player Pant take LSG forward?

At his previous franchise, Delhi Capitals, the issue of captaincy became contentious, prompting the 27-year-old Pant to withdraw from DC's retention strategy following unsuccessful negotiations.

Pant secured the captaincy position after surpassing Nicholas Pooran, as KL Rahul was not included among the retained players of LSG. Prior to the auctions, LSG had retained Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and Ayush Badoni.

Immediately after the auction, Goenka made an ambiguous statement indicating that the franchise preferred to retain players who prioritized the team's success over personal achievements, which many interpreted as a criticism of Rahul, who frequently faced challenges in maintaining a rapid scoring rate.

When inquired about his new team's potential success in the IPL, Pant expressed optimism.

"I am certainly pleased with the team. We possess a blend of youthful talent and seasoned players. We have not reached our desired position... this is part of our journey towards elevating this franchise to new heights."

Although DC showed interest in retaining him, they were not entirely committed to him as the captain, which led Pant to re-enter the auction.

During the auction, they outbid Sunrisers Hyderabad and LSG to acquire Pant for ₹20.75 crore, ultimately increasing their bid to ₹27 crore to surpass Delhi Capitals' right-to-match card.

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