Rishabh Pant’s captaincy of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025 has been questioned as he has struggled with the bat, even though he was purchased for a record-busting INR 27 crore, the highest price ever for an IPL player. Pant was made captain in January 2025, but his play over the first few games has been underwhelming. In his first three matches of IPL 2025, Pant made a golden duck against Delhi Capitals, 15 in 12 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and only 2 against Punjab Kings and 2 against Mumbai, falling to Glenn Maxwell repeatedly. This prolonged slump has led to calls for his head, in large part due to the high expectations that have always come with his steep price tag. If LSG chooses to sack him in the middle of the season owing to this lackluster performance, three names emerge as leading candidates to succeed him:

Aiden Markram 

Markram has gone about his business under the radar, developing into a consistent top-order batter and a shrewd captain. So far this season, in just four matches, he has made 134 runs at an average of 33.50 and an SR of just over 135. His calm 53 against Mumbai Indians helped hold the innings together after Pant was out early on. His cool, strategic captaincy has already brought two successive SA20 crowns with Sunrisers Eastern Cape. His experience leading South Africa in T20Is will serve him well. Even though he hasn’t bowled this season, his admissible off-spin gives any squad depth. Considering Pant’s recent odyssey, Markram’s form and history as a leader place him as a strong candidate.

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Nicholas Pooran

Another of LSG’s hitters with the ability to change matches, Pooran has been in electric touch this season so far, scoring 189 runs at an average of 47.25 and a strike rate just below 165. Although he has been out for 12 against MI, his previous scores of 70, 44, and 75 have been match-defining. Having previously captained the West Indies in T20s and having served as LSG stand-in captain in 2023, Pooran possesses strong leadership credentials. His presence behind the stumps and ability to finish games make him a dynamic option to step up if the team chooses to go in a different direction from Pant.

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Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh has been the best player in the tournament for LSG so far this season. With 236 runs in just four games at an average of 59 and a strike rate of 155, he’s been a nightmare for any opposition bowlers up the top of the order. His blistering 60 off 31 balls against MI helped him bag the Player of the Match award and propelled LSG to a massive 210 total. Though a back injury has prevented him from bowling, Marsh’s leadership experience with Australia including leading them in T20Is and his consistently strong batting performances put him in an excellent position to win the job. Once he’s fully fit, his all-around capabilities can be an added bonus. 

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With Rishabh Pant ready to return to form even after heavy investment, LSG will have to look for other options to replace the captain. Markram provides seasoned calmness and control, Pooran explosive aggression and national familiarity, and Marsh that extra impact and international know-how. Any one of the three could provide LSG the spark they need to jumpstart their season.