IPL | Twitter reacts to Pant revealing 'was tensed about going to Punjab' during LSG captaincy announcement

‌Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjeev Goenka confirmed on Monday that Rishabh Pant would lead the franchise IPL 2025 onwards in an exclusive interaction involving the veteran broadcasted on the Star network. Pant was acquired at the mega-auction last year for an unprecedented INR 27 crores after LSG's reviseed bid was not met by the Delhi Capitals who had played the Right to Match card after bidding had ended at INR 20.75 crores. It was the second time the IPL record was broken on the day as Shreyas Iyer had been acquired by the Punjab Kings for INR 26.75 crores immediately before Pant's name came up at the event and the wicket-keeper batter revealed he was relieved at how things played out.

Punjab had walked into the auction with the highest purse after retaining just two uncapped players and were expected to go after one of the three marquee former Indian IPL skippers up for grabs in Iyer, Pant, and KL Rahul. When asked which team Pant expected to go to ahead of the event, the 27-year-old admitted Punjab were the favourites which worried him.

"Mereko andar se ek hi ka tension tha... wo tha Punjab [I was only worried about going to one team, that is Punjab]," Pant said amidst a fit of laughter. 

A part of every IPL season since the tournament began in 2008, Punjab are one of only three original teams to have never lifted the trophy and hold the worst aggregate record in its 17-year history. The franchise have only amde the playoffs twice -- in their maiden season and in 2014 where they finished as runners-up. In the process, they have had 17 captains and 11 head coaches, more than any of their rivals by a country mile.

"Punjab outbid [any team], it was crazy. Second-best [team purse] was 82 crores, Punjab had 112... but once Shreyas went there, then I felt I could only end up in LSG," Pant further explained.

Twitterati, as always, was quick to get in on the fun. 

New captain For LSG!

Misunderstood, Not Against.

Are YOu sure?!

Captain Pant!

Sometimes!!

Ipl Leads!

Lol!!

Wht!!?

Leader of LSG!

Leadership goals