IPL 2025: 3 Players who can replace Rishabh Pant as LSG captain in mid-season

Lucknow Super Giants‘ (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant’s nightmare run in IPL 2025 has shown no signs of ending. The most expensive player in the league’s history with a price tag of INR 27 crore, Pant has managed just 19 runs in four games so far. On Friday, in the clash against Mumbai Indians, the southpaw once again fell cheaply, walking back after adding just two runs off six balls. 

Pant’s lean patch has coincided with a disappointing start for LSG, who have lost two of their first three matches. Their only win came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, while defeats to Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings have left them seventh in the points table with just two points. In each of those games, Pant has failed to contribute.

He was dismissed for a duck in the opener and could score only 15, two and two in the next three outings. While team owner Sanjiv Goenka has backed him, fans are already questioning his leadership and value. Many supporters have even asked for a change in the captaincy role, considering the franchise consists of more captaincy options.

Here are the three players who can replace Rishabh Pant as Lucknow Super Giants captain:

3. Aiden Markram

Aiden Markram is a strong candidate to lead LSG in place of Rishabh Pant. Markram, who led South Africa to their first-ever senior World Cup final at the 2024 T20 World Cup and has experience across formats and leagues. He guided the South African U-19 team to a World Cup win in 2014 and has twice led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to SA20 titles in 2023 and 2024. Notably, in the 2025 edition under his leadership the side reached their third consecutive SA20 final but suffered a defeat at the hands of MI Cape Town.

While his IPL captaincy stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023 didn’t bring great results (winning only four of the 13 games), his leadership record is solid with a 46% win rate in T20Is. With the bat, Markram has scored 97 runs in four games this IPL season. In the game against the Mumbai Indians, he scored 38-ball 53. His opening partnership with Mitchell Marsh has been crucial in giving the team a great start.

2. Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh, the current Australian T20I skipper, has a wealth of experience in leading a side. Since taking over Australia’s T20I captaincy role in 2023, Marsh has had a perfect record. He led Australia’s U-19 team to a World Cup title in 2010 and has captained the Perth Scorchers in BBL matches. The all-rounder also guided Western Australia to the Marsh Cup title in 2017-18. Bought for INR 3.4 crore at the IPL auction, Marsh has been in great form of late. In the four games played, he has scored 184 runs, including three fifty-plus scores. 

The 33-year-old might be a good fit for the role in place of the Indian wicket-keeper, considering his leadership records and the current form. Marsh, who is just playing as a batter this season, will have a more significant role to play if he is given the responsibility. His equation with coach Justin Langer can also lead the side getting the desired results. 

1. Nicholas Pooran

Retained for INR 21 crore, Nicholas Pooran is another name on this list. He led the LSG team last year in the absence of KL Rahul and has also previously led the West Indies in limited-overs formats. The southpaw was one of the best performers last season, scoring 499 runs at an average of 62.38 and a strike rate of 178.21, including three half-centuries.

In 2024, he was the highest T20 run-scorer globally with 2251 runs in 68 games across leagues. Notably, in the ongoing season as well he has looked good, scoring 201 runs in his last four innings and currently holds the Orange Cap. Meanwhile, the southpaw recently led the MI Emirates in the ILT20 2025 season, which managed to reach the Eliminator, losing to Sharjah Warriorz at Abu Dhabi.

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