Rishabh Pant Release On Cards? LSG May Release India Star, Nicholas Pooran Secured | Report

Rishabh Pant’s future at Lucknow Super Giants remains uncertain after stepping down as captain, with reports suggesting LSG could release him ahead of IPL 2027.

Rishabh Pant’s decision to step down as Lucknow Super Giants captain may not be the end of the turmoil surrounding his IPL future. While the move temporarily eased speculation around his leadership role, reports from Cricbuzz suggest the franchise is now seriously considering releasing the wicketkeeper-batter before the next season.

Pant, who was bought for a record-breaking INR 27 crore ahead of IPL 2025, has struggled to justify the hefty investment both as captain and as a batter. Sources close to the franchise indicate that LSG management believes the amount spent on Pant could be used more effectively elsewhere during the next auction cycle.

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However, there remains a possibility that the franchise could attempt to re-sign him later at a reduced price if he enters the auction pool.

Poor Returns Raise Concerns Inside LSG Camp

Pant’s two-year stint as LSG captain has produced underwhelming results. Across 28 matches as skipper, he managed only 10 victories, leaving him with a win percentage of 35.71. His batting numbers have also failed to meet expectations, scoring 581 runs at an average of 26.40 and a strike rate of 135.74 during the period.

The situation worsened in IPL 2026, where Lucknow finished at the bottom of the table after winning only four out of 14 matches.

LSG’s coaching setup, featuring experienced figures like Justin Langer, Tom Moody, and Kane Williamson, is believed to be evaluating major structural changes ahead of IPL 2027. The management reportedly feels there may be significantly better value available in the market compared to Pant’s current salary.

Earlier in the day, the franchise officially confirmed Pant’s captaincy exit.

“Rishabh approached the franchise with this request and we have respectfully accepted it. These decisions are never easy. We are grateful for everything Rishabh has brought to this dressing room as captain. Our focus now is on the collective – rebuilding and restructuring to reach the best standards,” Moody, the franchise’s director of cricket, said.

Nicholas Pooran Likely To Stay Despite Poor IPL 2026

While several changes are expected within the squad after LSG’s disappointing campaign, Nicholas Pooran is likely to survive the shake-up despite his own struggles this season.

Pooran, retained for INR 21 crore, scored only 234 runs in IPL 2026, numbers that also fell below expectations. However, the West Indies batter still appears to have the backing of the management because of his explosive 2025 season, where he accumulated more than 500 runs.

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There has been growing discussion in IPL circles regarding the combined INR 48 crore investment in Pant and Pooran, which consumed nearly 40 percent of the franchise purse. Despite the criticism, insiders suggest LSG are more inclined to continue with Pooran than Pant heading into the next season.

The franchise is now expected to undergo a major rebuild after another disappointing campaign, with leadership and squad composition likely to become the biggest talking points ahead of IPL 2027.