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After being retained by his franchise, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Nicholas Pooran made it clear that he did not wish to take on the captaincy role. According to sources, following Pooran’s decision, LSG became eager to bring in Rishabh Pant as their captain. In fact, the franchise had initiated discussions about Pant well before the retention decision for Pooran was finalised. This also means LSG’s intent to secure a dynamic leader, with Pant seen as a strong candidate due to his leadership experience and impact in the shorter formats of the game.
Later, at the IPL auction, Pant was sold to Lucknow Super Giants for a staggering ₹27 crore, making him the highest-paid cricketer in the history of the IPL. This hefty price tag not only reflected Pant’s immense value as a player but also underscored LSG’s faith in his leadership abilities.
With his explosive batting and leadership track record for India, Pant was seen as the perfect candidate to lead the franchise, especially after Pooran’s decision to step back from the role. The massive bid further ensured the growing competition for top talent in the IPL, with franchises willing to make significant investments for the right combination of skills and leadership.
The Right to Match (RTM) card played a crucial role in Rishabh Pant securing his staggering ₹27 crore price tag at the auction. After seeing Shreyas Iyer being sold for ₹26.5 crore, the promoters of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were determined to secure Pant and quoted a price that was beyond the reach of other franchises, including his previous team, Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals, who had retained the RTM option for Pant, used it in an attempt to bring him back.
However, LSG’s aggressive bid surpassed their offer, ultimately making Pant the highest-paid cricketer in IPL history. The strategic use of RTM by LSG ensured they secured the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, reinforcing their belief in his leadership potential and value to the team.
