Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has reacted to Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) farewell message following his high-profile return to Delhi capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2027 season. Pant’s brief but eventful stint with the Lucknow-based franchise has officially come to an end after a blockbuster trade deal involving star spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Rishabh Pant’s Three-Word Reply Goes Viral
After confirming Pant’s departure, Lucknow Super Giants shared an emotional farewell post on social media. The 28-year-old responded with a simple yet blunt three-word message:
“Thank You Team.”
The brief response quickly grabbed the attention of fans, marking the end of Pant’s disappointing two-year association with the franchise.
End of an Underwhelming LSG Chapter
Pant joined LSG ahead of IPL 2025 for a record-breaking ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history at the time. Expectations were sky-high, but the move failed to deliver the desired results.
Under Pant’s leadership, Lucknow Super Giants missed the playoffs in both IPL 2025 and IPL 2026. The franchise endured a particularly difficult 2026 campaign, finishing at the bottom of the points table after winning only four of their 14 matches.
With both the team’s and Pant’s performances falling short of expectations, a separation appeared inevitable.
Pant’s Numbers for Lucknow Super Giants
During his two seasons with LSG, Pant struggled to replicate the consistency that made him one of the league’s most dangerous batters.
- Matches: 27
- Runs: 555
- Centuries: 1
- Best Performance: Century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025
While there were flashes of brilliance, Pant was unable to consistently influence games with the bat.
Massive ₹12 Crore Pay Cut for Delhi Return
To facilitate his return to Delhi Capitals, Pant accepted a significant pay cut. The wicketkeeper-batter’s salary dropped from ₹27 crore at LSG to ₹15 crore at DC, amounting to a reduction of ₹12 crore.
The trade deal also saw Delhi Capitals send star wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to Lucknow Super Giants.
Homecoming to Delhi Capitals
Pant returns to the franchise where he established himself as one of India’s premier T20 players. Between 2016 and 2024, he spent nine seasons with Delhi Capitals and became one of the team’s most influential figures.
- Matches for DC: 111
- Runs: 3,284
- Centuries: 1
- Half-centuries: 18
Beyond his batting exploits, Pant also enjoyed success as captain.
Pant’s Captaincy Record with Delhi Capitals
Pant led Delhi Capitals in 43 IPL matches and maintained a respectable record as skipper.
- Matches as Captain: 43
- Wins: 23
- Losses: 20
- Win Percentage: 53.49%
His most successful season as captain came in IPL 2021 when Delhi Capitals finished at the top of the league stage standings before narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
What Next for Pant and Delhi?
Pant’s return signals a fresh chapter for both player and franchise. Delhi Capitals will hope their former captain can rediscover his best form and help the team challenge for its maiden IPL title, while Lucknow Super Giants begin a new era with Kuldeep Yadav as a key addition to their squad.
With IPL 2027 still months away, Pant’s emotional return to Delhi is already shaping up to be one of the biggest talking points of the upcoming season.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Sports on thefoxdaily.com.
COMMENTS 0