Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, one of India’s most dynamic players, shared a humorous and candid moment about his experience during the IPL 2025 auction. Pant, who was announced as the new captain of the Lucknow Super Giants on January 20, couldn’t resist making a cheeky comment regarding his fears of being targeted by Punjab Kings, a team that had the largest budget heading into the auction. With a smile, Pant recalled how he followed the auction from Australia and joked that he was particularly worried about Punjab’s deep pockets. The team had the financial power to go after big-ticket players, which made Pant a little apprehensive about his future in the IPL.
"I was tensed about one thing, and that thing was Punjab," Pant said, referring to his concerns about being picked up by the franchise. The candidness and wit in his remark added a touch of humor to the event. Pant admitted that he was relieved when Punjab Kings, under the leadership of new head coach Ricky Ponting, ended up securing Shreyas Iyer for a substantial sum of Rs 26.75 crore, which significantly reduced their remaining budget and made it less likely that they would target him. This amusing anecdote, coupled with his light-hearted delivery, helped set the tone for the rest of the event.
Pant’s relationship with Ricky Ponting, who previously coached Pant at Delhi Capitals, played a crucial role in his cricketing journey. Ponting’s influence helped shape Pant’s career as a young, aggressive batter, and now, with Ponting at the helm of Punjab Kings, Pant shared his amusement at their friendly rivalry. Despite this, it was the Lucknow Super Giants who ultimately secured Pant’s services with a winning bid of Rs 27 crore, surpassing his former franchise, Delhi Capitals.
In addition to the auction story, Pant shared his leadership philosophy, drawing from his experiences and the lessons learned from senior players like Rohit Sharma. He emphasized the importance of creating a positive, supportive environment for players, something he believes is crucial to fostering success in a competitive team setting. "I learnt from a lot of my seniors. From Rohit bhai, I learnt how to care for a player. Even I feel if you back a player, he can do wonders for your team," Pant explained. His leadership is centered around backing players unconditionally, and he believes that this approach will inspire the Lucknow Super Giants to fight till the last ball.
Pant’s new role with Lucknow Super Giants is part of a broader transition in IPL leadership. KL Rahul, who led the Super Giants for the past three years, has now moved to Delhi Capitals, where he is expected to take over the captaincy. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer’s appointment as Punjab Kings’ new captain further strengthens the leadership dynamic in the tournament, and Pant will now find himself as a key figure in a revamped Lucknow team.
Pant’s career trajectory in the IPL has been both eventful and inspiring. Despite captaining Delhi Capitals for three years without managing to secure an IPL title, Pant’s impact as a player and leader has been significant. His explosive batting, combined with his fearless approach, has made him one of the most entertaining cricketers in the IPL. Following a long absence due to injury, Pant made an impressive return to competitive cricket in the recent season, scoring 446 runs at an astonishing strike rate of nearly 150. His remarkable form was one of the reasons for his inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad, further cementing his place as one of the country’s top cricketers.
As Pant prepares to lead Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, his focus is on building a culture of resilience and trust. With his leadership qualities, high energy, and belief in backing his players, Pant hopes to steer Lucknow to success and foster a team spirit that can take the franchise to new heights. He aims to build a dressing room environment where every player feels supported and empowered, something he believes is key to unlocking the full potential of the team. Pant’s vision is to cultivate a culture where players are encouraged to take risks and push boundaries, with the understanding that the team will always have each other’s backs.
Looking ahead to IPL 2025, Pant’s leadership could prove to be a turning point for Lucknow Super Giants. With a talented squad and a fresh leadership dynamic, the team will be eager to make a strong impact under Pant’s guidance.
