New Delhi: Rishabh Pant is set to take over as the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2025. Pant became the most expensive buy in the IPL during the November 2024 mega auction purchased by LSG for INR 27 crore (approximately US$ 3.21 million). KL Rahul the India wicketkeeper-batter had captained LSG for the first three seasons (starting in 2022). The team made it to the playoffs in their first two seasons but fell short of reaching the final. The 2024 season was disappointing as they finished seventh in the standings. This will be Pants second stint as captain having faced challenges with Delhi Capitals (DC) over the leadership role. Pant chose to re-enter the auction after discussions with DC failed as they were unwilling to fully commit to him as captain. Before the auction LSG retained five players: Nicholas Pooran Ravi Bishnoi Mayank Yadav Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan. LSG had been searching for an Indian player to step in as captain following Rahuls departure. Pant and Shreyas Iyer were their top choices. During the auction LSG triumphed in a heated bidding war with SRH to secure Pant for INR 20.75 crore later increasing the bid to 27 crore to fend off Delhi Capitals right-to-match challenge. Pant who had been with Delhi Capitals since 2016 became their captain in IPL 2021. He led the team throughout his tenure except for the 2023 season when he was sidelined due to a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. Pant will be supported by overseas batsmen such as David Miller Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram along with Indian pacers Akash Deep and Avesh Khan in the newly-formed LSG lineup. Pooran Marsh Markram and Miller were also considered as possible captaincy candidates following the auction. Pant will collaborate closely with head coach Justin Langer with whom he had discussions during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia as well as the newly appointed team mentor Zaheer Khan.