Indian wicket-keeper batter RishabhPant is preparing for a homecoming to Delhi following a two year stint with Lucknow Super Giants. Instead of taking charge, the wicketkeeper batter needs to concentrate fully on recovering his best touch and forcing his way back into national contention for limited overs cricket. The twenty eight year old cricketer transferred to Lucknow prior to the 2025 tournament and is now heading back through a trade deal that valued him at 15 crore rupees, while left arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav moved in the opposite direction for 13.50 crore rupees. Former India opener Wasim Jaffer recently suggested that Rishabh Pant should decline any leadership proposals from Delhi Capitals ahead of the Indian Premier League 2027 season.
Jaffer explained his viewpoint through a video on his personal YouTube platform. ‘You know, the way KL has done it, he is enjoying his time as a player. There is a lot of pressure when you have to lead a franchise, the pressure from the owners, the expectations, the pressure from the fans, plus you have to focus on your own performance. On top of that, he is also a wicketkeeper and has to bat. Meanwhile, Pant experienced similar difficulties during his time leading Lucknow Super Giants, where the squad failed to reach the playoffs in each campaign. Handling numerous backroom opinions in Lucknow weighed heavily on him, and a comparable dynamic could await him in the capital. Statistical analysis shows he has played nearly an identical volume of fixtures both with and without leadership duties, though his batting average and strike rate improve slightly when free from extra responsibilities. Prioritizing A National Team Return Jaffer emphasizes that Pant must treat the upcoming tournament as an opportunity to revive his batting credentials rather than shoulder administrative burdens. Again, I feel Rishabh’s priority should be to perform well in the IPL and make his way back into the T20I and ODI teams. Despite noting a dip in recent numbers, Jaffer maintains total faith in the explosive batter’s capacity to win matches independently once freed from leadership obligations. Delhi Capitals operate under newly appointed head coach Sourav Ganguly and face complex decisions regarding their leadership structure should they decide to move away from Axar. experts note that protecting the primary match winner’s individual output must remain the absolute priority While alternative candidates remain limited ahead of the upcoming mini auction.
‘I think it is better for him to play as a player because, you know, his performance has come down. Because he is not currently in India’s leadership group where he could become the captain,’ he added, captaincy is not his priority. Axar Patel served as the leader for Delhi Capitals during the 2026 season, though neither the franchise nor the all rounder met expectations while finishing sixth with seven victories in fourteen matches.
‘If Delhi Capitals even offer him the captaincy, I think it is better for him to say no,’ Jaffer said.
