Imagine spending ₹27 crore on a player — the most expensive buy in IPL history — only to watch your team sink to the bottom of the table. That’s exactly the nightmare Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are living through right now.
With just two wins from eight matches in IPL 2026, LSG are staring down a third consecutive playoff miss. The big question haunting every fan: Will LSG finally cut ties with Rishabh Pant ahead of IPL 2027?
Rishabh Pant at LSG — The Numbers Don’t Lie
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract Price | ₹27 Crore (IPL 2025 Mega Auction) |
| IPL 2026 Wins | 2 out of 8 games |
| Current Standing | Last in Points Table |
| Notable Score | One fifty vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Rest of Innings | Dismissed in single digits multiple times |
Despite a star-studded squad featuring Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Mohammed Shami, and George Linde, LSG have failed to fire as a unit. Pant’s captaincy hasn’t been able to unlock the team’s collective potential — a problem that feels hauntingly familiar from last season.
The KL Rahul Precedent — History Repeating?
It’s impossible not to draw comparisons. After LSG’s first-ever playoff miss in IPL 2024, they swiftly showed KL Rahul the door. They also parted ways with mentor Zaheer Khan ahead of IPL 2026. LSG have shown they aren’t afraid to make bold calls.
But here’s the twist — the franchise has publicly backed Pant, posting on social media that it’s “just a matter of time” before things click. No official reports suggest a release is imminent.
According to the BCCI’s IPL retention rules, franchises can release contracted players ahead of the mega auction. With IPL 2027 mega auction likely on the horizon, every performance until the final whistle matters.
So, Will LSG Release Pant? Our Take
The answer right now is: probably not — but it’s complicated.
LSG still have a few games left in IPL 2026. A late turnaround could change everything. But if they finish at the bottom again, the ₹27 crore investment will face serious scrutiny. The franchise’s patience is real, but it isn’t infinite.
Pant is one of India’s most explosive wicketkeeper-batters, and his redemption story post-accident has been nothing short of inspiring. But IPL franchises run on results, and sentiment only carries you so far.
Read more- IPL 2026 Value-for-Money Report: Sooryavanshi Is Pure Gold, Pant & Green Are Burning Crores
