Rishabh Pant: Money is Not My Priority
Lucknow Super Giants’ new captain, Rishabh Pant, has made headlines after securing a record-breaking bid at the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega-auction. The wicketkeeper-batter was sold for an impressive Rs 27 crore, making him the highest-paid player in IPL history.
Following his appointment as captain on January 20, Pant spoke about his views on money in an interview. He shared that financial gains are not his primary concern. Although he admitted that receiving less than expected in the auction could be disappointing, he has learned to focus on his performance rather than the monetary aspect. “Money is just a by-product of what we do on the field,” Pant explained. He emphasized that he approached the auction without a set price in mind, believing that whether he was valued at Rs 5 crore or Rs 10 crore was not important to him.
Pant further mentioned that it’s a challenge to keep money off his mind, but he reminds himself daily that his worth is tied to his skills and hard work. “Thinking about money should not be my main focus; it’s just one part of the journey,” he said during an interview on Hotstar.
No Pressure from Price Tag
When asked if he felt any pressure due to his high price tag, Pant confidently stated that as long as LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka was not stressed, he wouldn’t feel pressured either. “If the owner is relaxed, then I’m relaxed too,” he added with a laugh.
In a surprising twist, before the auction, Pant hinted at leaving his previous team, Delhi Capitals, by tweeting about his future. He questioned his fans if anyone would want him at the auction, raising speculation about his exit.
Delhi Capitals chose to release Pant for the 2025 auction, opting instead to keep players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. While Pant insisted that his decision to leave was not financially motivated, speculation continued. Newly appointed Delhi coach Hemang Badani commented that Pant’s move was indeed influenced by the prospect of earning more money, which sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike.
As the IPL season approaches, all eyes will be on Rishabh Pant as he takes on his new role with Lucknow Super Giants, remaining committed to proving that his passion for the game outweighs the financial rewards.
