Rishabh Pant made history as the most expensive player in IPL history, purchased by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹27 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. Following his appointment as LSG captain, the star wicketkeeper-batter revealed he didn’t want to join the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the auction, Pant broke Shreyas Iyer’s record, who was acquired by PBKS for ₹26.75 crore earlier in the day. Pant expressed relief when Iyer joined PBKS, citing their massive ₹110 crore budget.
Pant’s Perspective on the Auction
“From inside, I had only one tension. That was Punjab. Their budget was so high that if you wanted, you could not do anything. They had ₹112 crore, the second highest was ₹82 crore. When Shreyas joined Punjab, I was relieved that I can join LSG now,” Pant shared during a Star Sports interaction.
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Bidding War for Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant’s signing saw an intense bidding war between LSG and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with the latter eventually bowing out. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) also joined the fray to strengthen their batting lineup. Despite Delhi Capitals (DC) attempting to retain him with the ‘Right to Match’ card, they couldn’t compete with LSG’s massive bid, who went all-in for Pant, surpassing Iyer’s record.
Pant’s Stellar T20 Credentials
A versatile player across all formats for India, Pant is renowned for his explosive performances on the field. While his international T20 numbers—1,209 runs in 76 matches at an average of 23.25 with a strike rate of nearly 128—may seem modest, his overall T20 career is far more impressive. With 5,022 runs in 202 matches at an average of 31.78 and a strike rate exceeding 145, including two centuries and 25 fifties, Pant is a force to be reckoned with.
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Pant’s Legacy at Delhi Capitals
Pant represented Delhi Capitals (DC) throughout his IPL career since 2016, amassing 3,284 runs in 110 matches at an average of 35.31, including a century and 18 fifties. Appointed DC’s captain in 2021, he led the team to the playoffs in his debut season as skipper.