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Rishabh Pant is one of the most remarkable stories in cricket history. After a life-threatening car accident in December 2022 that left him with multiple injuries including a torn ACL, fractured knee, and ligament damage, Pant fought back to return to cricket — and in the 2025 IPL mega auction, Lucknow Super Giants paid ₹27 crore for him, making him the most expensive player in IPL auction history.
💰 Record: Pant's ₹27 crore auction price (2025) is the highest in IPL history, surpassing Mitchell Starc's ₹24.75 crore (DC, 2024). The bid reflects not just his cricketing ability but his incredible resilience and marketability.
BIOGRAPHY
Full Name: Rishabh Rajendra Pant · Born: October 4, 1997, Haridwar, Uttarakhand · Age: 28 · Role: Left-hand wicketkeeper-batter · IPL Teams: DC (2016–2024), LSG (2025–present) · DC Captain: 2021–2024 · LSG Captain: 2025–present
Pant was the youngest wicketkeeper to play for India, making his debut at 19. He scored Test centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa before the age of 25 — feats that established him among the all-time great wicketkeeper-batters alongside Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni. His aggressive left-handed batting, unorthodox shots (reverse scoops, switch hits, audacious laps over fine leg), and match-awareness make him one of the most entertaining cricketers alive.
The car accident on December 30, 2022, nearly ended his career and his life. He suffered fractures to his right knee, a torn ACL and MCL, wrist ligament damage, and abrasion injuries. His rehabilitation took over 14 months, during which he showed the same fighting spirit that defines his batting — refusing to accept limitations and working tirelessly to return to full fitness.
THE COMEBACK STORY
Pant returned to the IPL in 2024 for Delhi Capitals and immediately made an impact — scoring 446 runs at a strike rate of 155, proving that the accident hadn't diminished his talent or his fearlessness. His performances were so impressive that LSG broke the all-time auction record to sign him for ₹27 crore, giving him the captaincy and building their entire squad around his abilities.
IPL CAREER STATS
RISHABH PANT — IPL CAREER
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches | 120+ |
| Runs | 3,500+ |
| Strike Rate | ~150 (among highest in IPL for 3000+ runs) |
| Highest Score | 128* vs SRH (2018) |
| Half-Centuries | 18+ |
| Sixes | 160+ |
| Record Auction Price | ₹27 crore (LSG, 2025) |
| Captaincy | DC (2021–24), LSG (2025–) |
| Comeback IPL (2024) | 446 runs, SR 155 |
IPL 2026 — LSG'S SLOW START
LSG have had a mixed start — losing to DC in Match 5 (where Rizvi's 70* sank them) before bouncing back. Pant's individual performances have been steady but not yet explosive. The ₹27 crore price tag means every innings is scrutinised, and Pant will need a signature knock to silence the critics and justify LSG's investment.
LSG's squad features serious firepower — Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mohammed Shami, and Mayank Yadav provide quality across all departments. If Pant can find his rhythm and play the fearless cricket that made him India's most exciting cricketer, LSG have the squad to challenge for the playoffs.
PANT — IPL 2026 STATS
| Match | Opponent | Performance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 5 | vs DC | Batting — limited | LSG lost by 6 wkts |
| Match 10 | vs SRH | — | — |
WHY PANT IS WORTH ₹27 CRORE
Beyond cricket, Pant represents resilience and the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. His comeback from a near-fatal accident to becoming the most expensive IPL player ever is a story that transcends sport. For LSG, the ₹27 crore isn't just for his batting and wicketkeeping — it's for the inspiration he brings to the dressing room, the marketing value he adds to the franchise, and the winning mentality that comes from a man who has stared death in the face and walked away with a smile.
