Huge expectations of Pant this IPL: Pooran

Lucknow Super Giants began life in the Indian Premier League brightly, reaching the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, but plunged to seventh last year.

- Sharad Deep

LUCKNOW: That has seen a major change with Rishabh Pant taking over as skipper ahead of this season after being bought for an all-time IPL record ₹27 crore.

The 27-year-old though goes into IPL 2025 with plenty to prove. His leadership apart, the wicketkeeper will also be under some pressure to ramp up his T20 batting, especially after an underwhelming Test tour of Australia. He also sat out India's triumphant Champions Trophy campaign where KL Rahul, the man he has replaced in LSG, was preferred and delivered with the 'keeping gloves and bat.

Nicholas Pooran will be one of the key players for Pant. The 29-year-old Trinidad keeper-batter had a solid 2024 IPL season, scoring 499 runs with his power-batting reflected in the 35 fours and 36 sixes he hit. Ahead of his third season with LSG, Pooran declared: "I enjoy hitting the cricket ball with sheer power. It thrills me."