Pant's leadership skills given a fresh vote of confidence at LSG

In the time of one team, one bus, Rishabh Pant arrived over one hour late. But this being in the exclusive and expensive bubble that is the Indian Premier League (IPL), India team rules do not apply.

- HT Correspondent

KOLKATA: And because the franchise cricket universe makes many demands on a top player, Pant alone may not have been responsible for his timing being so, well, off.

Sanjiv Goenka apologised for the delay but well before he introduced Pant as the new captain to the media, a comment attributed to the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on how the explosive wicketkeeper-batter could be among the best leaders in IPL was available on X. That LSG would name Pant captain was expected after they spent an IPL record ₹27 crore, nearly 14 times his base price, to win a bidding war that, including a right-to-match offer, involved four teams. Monday's event was merely for confirmation.

"We start with new aspirations, new hope and, most importantly, new confidence," said Goenka before presenting Pant his LSG shirt. Cue, cameras and mobile phones kicking into overdrive with the request that owner and skipper face them which meant the duo having to look left, right and centre. Thanking the management for "showing the faith", Pant, 27, promised to give "200%". Looking forward to a new beginning with new energy, he said. "Have a blast out there."

LSG mentor Zaheer Khan said Pant looks "at the game differently" and it is "commendable" that he inspires a "new style of play". Khan promised fearless and exciting cricket and said the team would be one to look up to in the coming years.