While there was some initial spark in the LSG-MI trade talks, LSG is no longer in negotiations for Hardik.
MI is actively exploring multiple options with other franchises.
Official announcement for the Kuldeep-Rishabh trade will happen today.
You heard it here first!
LSG and MI are going strong on trade talks.
MI is pursuing Pooran, with SKY or Hardik potentially being part of the deal. They are keen on Pooran as he already plays for other MI franchises.
MI is also looking for a pacer and has pushed LSG for Prince and Mohsin. LSG doesn't seem too keen on that.
Expect a big announcement soon.
Since Rishabh is leaving LSG and won't be associated with the team, I can finally share the story of how it all went down here at the LSG camp.
Pant acted strangely during the last 3 matches of LSG, avoiding formal discussions and conversations. Of course, the season was horrible and he knew the ₹27 cr tag was going to bite him hard. Failed captain. 10th position for the team. Barely any impact innings from him. He knew what was coming.
When Moody announced the team restructuring in the final match presentation, Pant proactively reached out to be dropped as captain. He said he was not able to manage the load and had been having this thought for the past few weeks.
LSG agreed. The announcement happened.
No formal review had happened. No difficult conversations. The owner and the majority of the senior management weren't even in India. So all those fallout stories during a review meeting were 100% fake.
A formal committee was to be set up to review the season's failure. Of course, Pant knew he would be questioned. A review was being talked about in the camp. But before all that happened, Pant seemed determined to leave before having to answer what really happened to LSG in the season.
He reached out to multiple franchises, but none were interested in him because of the heavy price tag attached to his IPL performance. People think trades are easy. Trust me, all managements think tactically and not emotionally. Every penny invested needs to make sense.
Now, why DC? Of course, we all knew Parth loves Pant. He fought hard for him on both fronts: convincing DC to take him and convincing Pant to take a salary cut. I don't think GMR Group gels well with Pant, and it's a known fact. Now that I think of it, LSG was a great escape for Pant from GMR while bagging ₹27 cr per season. Lol!
Also, from what I've heard, the DC squad is not particularly pleased with the homecoming. KL Rahul has emerged as a strong pillar for the franchise, and Pant's return has opened up conversations around hierarchy and leadership. It will be interesting to see how DC shapes up.
But all that said, I really wanted to share the story behind Pant's exit. I really wish things had ended differently. But he led all the final decisions. That's the real story.
Will come back once I have an update on the next captain.
Sssssssshhhhhhh!
Unfortunately, my first post was taken down by the moderators as I wasn’t expecting for it to blow up on X like it did. But as the season concludes, I am seeing a lot of interviews and reports somehow spotlighting the similar things I had mentioned.
Harsha Bhogle recently pointed out how Rishabh Pant putting himself ahead of the team disrupted LSG’s batting order, something that was evident throughout the season as well. There is also growing indication that Rishabh could be removed from the captaincy and may not even be retained as a player. I can 100% confirm one of those things will happen.
While some experts believe Rishabh can still be retained purely as a player, there are severe concerns around him. From favouritism to tussles with coaches, LSG’s dressing room was a circus. Some players are equally frustrated. Like I said, all of this would have worked if LSG played well. His tactics and decisions would have been lauded. But we know where LSG finished on the table.
At this point, Rishabh Pant being released by LSG feels more like a matter of when, not if.
It has taken me a lot of courage to come and share what I’ve been witnessing for the past month being around the LSG dressing room. I have been associated with LSG for this season. It was a dream come true to be with an IPL team. For all the negativity the team gets, being part of one truly feels amazing. Unfortunately, I was not aware of what goes beyond matches and celebrations. I have thought a lot before writing this post, but I think LSG’s terrible performance has a lot to do with what’s been happening inside.
Rishabh is the face of LSG, and he appears very friendly as a person. But his performance since last season has really taken a toll on him and it’s now very visible.
I’ve seen him misbehave with younger players quite often. It’s one thing to have fun and pull legs, but at times he has been outright disrespectful. Very volatile behavior. You would see him being friendly with someone and immediately snap another moment. Not captain like. During one of the intense discussions, he threw and broke his phone, has been abusing Langer in the dugout. This has now started to reflect in his on-air interviews as well.
With such bad performance, you would want the captain to lead and guide. He literally sits quite in all team meetings. Not sure if it has something to do with Langer or Moody but he barely adds his opinions or inputs. But if he wants something done a certain way, he will not care if others like it or not. It was his decision to make Badoni open and Markram was straight up upset with it. Badoni was not comfortable either. Rishabh didn’t care. Even after the first failure, Markram wanted to open but Pant didn’t let him. He doesn’t listen to coaches. It was his decision to get Pooran to open in the super over. Everyone advised against it, but he was adamant to do it.
Will you believe that he dropped Mukul to get Himmat Singh? Yes, MUKUL! While all were appreciating Mukul’s innings against KKR and so was he after the match, I think the exposure and popularity Mukul gained in the coming days got to him. From IPL’s official handle to all sports influencer, Mukul was being loved and appreciated by all. People in the camp also started hyping him up but I guess the Rishabh was not okay with Mukul getting so much limelight. Right after the next match, he suggested dropping Mukul. Management didn’t take it well but after every inning of Mukul, he kept giving the “I said so!” look. Mukul is now under a lot of pressure to perform or be dropped! Kept favouring Avesh over Akash Singh because of favouritism.
I think the 27 Cr limelight has really gotten into him. Trust me, I am sure all-star players would have such things floating around but I guess it all works as long as they are delivering results. But Pant has been failing miserably as a player and a captain! Lucknow deserves better. LSG deserves better! Fans deserve better!
