Moments after Lucknow Super Giants principal owner Sanjiv Goenka announced Rishabh Pant as the new captain of the franchise for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), the star cricketer revealed his anxiety during the mega auction, admitting he feared being picked by Punjab Kings.

Rumours had linked Pant to both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). For CSK, speculation stemmed from his close bond with MS Dhoni, with Chennai potentially eyeing Pant as Dhoni’s successor. Meanwhile, PBKS emerged as a contender due to former Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting joining their camp, sparking talks of a reunion with the Aussie mentor.

Speaking to Star Sports on Monday, Pant shared his concerns about landing in Punjab, which had the biggest auction purse. However, his nerves eased after the franchise secured Shreyas Iyer for ₹26.75 crore.

"My only concern was Punjab (laughs). They had the highest purse. When Shreyas went to Punjab, I felt there was a chance I could end up with LSG. There was a possibility. But with the auction, you can never be sure, so I just decided to wait, watch, and keep my fingers crossed,” Pant said.

Pant named the new LSG captain

After being released by Delhi ahead of the auction in Jeddah, Rishabh Pant was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record-breaking ₹27 crore. Speaking to Star Sports, LSG principal owner Sanjiv Goenka revealed that Pant was always central to their plans, with the team built around his inclusion.

“The entire strategy revolved around Rishabh; everything was planned with him in mind,” Goenka stated while confirming Pant as the captain. When asked why Pant was their choice, Goenka added, “I believe time will show that he is not just the most expensive player in IPL history but also the best player in the league.”

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