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IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant will become best player in IPL history, predicts Goenka
Follow UsGoenka also insisted that he’s never seen any player in IPL history with so much hunger and energy
Earlier last year, 27-year-old Rishabh Pant broke all records, becoming the costliest player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, at INR 27 crores, with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) winning the bid.
LSG’s owner, Sanjiv Goenka, made it clear that LSG wanted him at all costs, breaking the bank for the southpaw. But what was more intriguing was that Goenka hailed Pant’s influence, predicting that he’s going to be ‘the best player in IPL’.
“My thinking was that time will prove that he’s not the only most expensive player in IPL but he’s going to be the best player in IPL. I have never seen a player with so much hunger and energy; he has a casual style of leadership; it is almost like the boy next door,” Goenka said in the Hotstar special.
"I see a born leader in Rishabh Pant. He will probably be the best captain IPL has ever seen. People now say Mahi & Rohit are IPL’s most successful captains. Mark my words, after 10-12 years, it will be Mahi, Rohit and Pant.”
On the other hand, Pant also opened up about his thought process as a captain, stating that he will follow in MS Dhoni's footsteps and trust the process.
“I wouldn’t lie, after my injury, I’m taking it one day at a time. I’m quite excited, especially when it comes from the owner. It boils down to captain, players and management. Mahi bhai's words are famous; MS Dhoni said, “Take care of the process, and the results will follow”,” Pant said.
Pant previously led Delhi Capitals with great success, winning 24 games and reaching the playoffs during the IPL 2022 season before losing to Chennai Super Kings. While insisting that the pressure of expectations will always be there, he’s in to win games for the franchise.
“The pressure of expectations will always be there. I’m someone who always wants to win. That is where there’s more fun. When your team wins, that enjoyment is next level, unlike individual performance. I always keep the team above myself. You can only do better when you are focusing on your team.”