Follow UsRishabh Pant did not justify his hefty price tag of INR 27 crore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as his side, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), finished seventh on the points table, winning just six of the 14 matches. While it is unlikely that Pant would be sacked as captain after just one season in charge, LSG have other captaincy candidates ready to take over if the need arises.
Here are some of the options:
Aiden Markram led South Africa to the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 and has proven to be a shrewd and capable captain. He also led Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) to back-to-back titles in the SA20, which further validates his captaincy credentials. However, in the 13 matches Markram has led in the IPL - all for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) - he has won just four, and, as a result, he will be eager to prove himself at this level should he be handed captaincy again.
Along with Markram, Mitchell Marsh was at his explosive best at the top in the IPL last season. Marsh has been unlucky with injuries in the past, but he seems to have put them behind him and is now among the most destructive T20 batters in the world. He has done incredibly well as Australia captain as well, winning 22 of the 26 T20Is he has led, with a win% of 84.61. There's perhaps no one better to lead LSG at the moment than Marsh.
Need an Indian option? Look no further than Ayush Badoni, who was named Delhi captain less than a year ago. Moreover, he also led South Delhi Superstarz to the Delhi Premier League (DPL) final last season. In DPL 2025, his side might be struggling just a tad, but the 25-year-old has shown potential in his short career so far. He has been consistent in the IPL for LSG, for whom he has slammed 963 runs at a strike rate of 138.56 in 46 innings