In a historic turn of events during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the tournament’s history. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured his services for a staggering ₹27 crore, surpassing the previous record held by Shreyas Iyer, who was acquired by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for ₹26.75 crore earlier in the day.
Pant’s Preference: Avoiding Punjab Kings
Following his high-profile acquisition, Pant was unveiled as the new captain of LSG. During an interaction on Star Sports, he candidly revealed his apprehensions about joining PBKS. Pant expressed that his primary concern was Punjab Kings’ substantial budget of ₹112 crore, significantly higher than the second-highest purse of ₹82 crore. He admitted feeling relieved when PBKS secured Shreyas Iyer, stating, “When Shreyas joined Punjab, I was relieved that I can join LSG now.”
The Bidding Dynamics
The auction witnessed intense competition for Pant’s signature. Initially, LSG and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) engaged in a bidding war, with RCB eventually stepping back. Subsequently, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) entered the fray, aiming to bolster their batting lineup. Delhi Capitals (DC), Pant’s former team, attempted to utilize the ‘Right To Match’ card but couldn’t match LSG’s formidable bid. Ultimately, LSG’s determination and financial commitment secured Pant’s inclusion in their squad.