Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is all set for the homecoming after a disastrous stint with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pant failed both as captain and batter at the LSG and even lost his place in India’s white-ball setup.
Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history when the Lucknow Super Giants bought him for ₹27 crore before the 2025 season. However, the India star’s two years with LSG were not memorable at all. The left-handed batter scored 269 runs in the 2025 season and managed 312 runs in IPL 2026 and now Rishabh Pant is unlikely to be picked for 2027 ODI World Cup.
LSG finished seventh in 2025 and then slipped to the bottom of the points table in 2026. After his struggle both as a batter and captain, Pant stepped down as the LSG captain. However, the Indian wicketkeeper is still part of the Lucknow franchise.
Rishabh Pant and Delhi Capitals reunion on the cards
Now, a fresh Times of India report suggests that Rishabh Pant is returning to Delhi Capitals (DC), where he began his IPL career and later became the captain.
The reports said, ‘Pant is very likely to return to the Delhi Capitals’ as he is set to part ways with the Lucknow Super Giants before IPL 2027. Also, Kuldeep Yadav is set to join LSG.
However, there is no clarity on whether Pant would return to DC as the captain. Notably, Axar Patel has been leading the franchise for the past couple of seasons, but the change in the leadership is on the cards. Rahul is also being seen as a strong captaincy option by the team management, but no official decision has been made yet.
Rishabh Pant’s incredible Delhi Capitals journey
Well, Rishabh Pant represented the Delhi Capitals in nine memorable seasons from 2016 to 2024. During this period, he played 111 matches and established himself as one of the team’s biggest stars. Pant joined DC as a young talent and grew into a match-winner and made it to Team India.
He also led the Delhi franchise in his final two seasons, replacing Shreyas Iyer. Yet, the left-handed batter was released by Delhi side ahead of IPL 2025, which surprised many fans and cricket experts. However, they tried really hard to get Pant back at the IPL 2025 mega auction, but LSG broke the bank for him.
Rishabh Pant’s shocking fall
Pant has gone through a tough phase recently. The wicketkeeper-batter has struggled to score runs consistently and has failed to make an impact in limited-overs cricket. As a result, he has been dropped from India’s ODI and T20I squads.
His aggressive batting style, which once made him a match-winner, is now not even in the reckoning. The BCCI removed Pant from the vice-captaincy role and handed the responsibility to KL Rahul as he led India during their disappointing 0-2 home Test series defeat against South Africa.
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