Pant exits Lucknow Super Giants after a ₹27.4‑crore deal fails to deliver. The wicket‑keeper‑batter’s 28‑match stint for the franchise yielded 581 runs, a modest return for the record price.
After the 2026 IPL, LSG confirmed that Pant and the club had mutually agreed to end their association. Goenka, speaking on the Shubhankar Mishra podcast, said the split was friendly and that their conversations continued beyond the contract. He even hinted at a future dinner together.
Rumours of friction surfaced when a photo of a tense exchange between Goenka and Pant went viral. Goenka quickly denied any animosity, describing their relationship as "good" and noting that the drama was exaggerated by the media.
Pant’s return to Delhi Capitals comes at a sharp pay cut—₹12 crore, down from the ₹27.4 crore LSG paid in 2025. Meanwhile, LSG has already signed India wrist‑spinner Kuldeep Yadav to fill the void left by Pant.
LSG now looks ahead to the 2027 IPL, hoping the new core can climb the standings, while Pant aims to rebuild his form and confidence in the upcoming season.