Rishabh Pant’s future at Lucknow Super Giants has become one of the biggest talking points for the IPL 2027 auction cycle. After stepping down as LSG captain following their bottom-place finish in IPL 2026, Pant’s long-term role at the franchise is no longer completely certain.

He arrived as a record ₹27 crore signing, but two poor seasons, leadership pressure, and LSG’s need for a reset have changed the conversation. If Rishabh Pant enters the IPL auction or becomes available through a trade, several teams will be interested.

But three franchises stand out tactically: Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.

3 IPL teams that could target Rishabh Pant in 2027 auction

1.Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans could be one of the most logical destinations for Rishabh Pant. Jos Buttler remains a world-class player, but by IPL 2027 he will be 36. GT have to start thinking about the next wicketkeeping cycle, and Pant gives them a long-term Indian solution.

The biggest benefit is overseas flexibility. If GT moves from Buttler to Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper-batter, they free up an overseas slot.

That allows them to pick an extra foreign fast bowler, all-rounder or finisher without weakening the batting core.

Pant also fits beautifully with Shubman Gill. Gill gives GT calm, structure and top-order control. Rishabh Pant gives them left-handed chaos in the middle order. Under Gill’s captaincy, Pant may also play with less burden than he did at LSG. Without leadership pressure, he could simply be asked to attack spin, break middle-over matchups and finish games.

For a team that likes long-term planning, Pant would be a very GT-style move.

2.Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians also make strong sense.

MI have gone through a messy transition phase, and one of their biggest issues has been the lack of a settled elite Indian wicketkeeper-batter in the middle order.

Pant at Wankhede is a dangerous idea. The short square boundaries, true bounce and fast outfield suit his game. He can bat at no. 4 or no. 5, attack spin, take on pace, and give MI the kind of left-handed middle-order force they have missed since their best power-hitting years.

There is also the leadership angle. MI’s captaincy conversation has been unsettled around Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.

Pant does not necessarily need to captain immediately, but he gives the franchise another experienced Indian leadership option.

For MI, Pant would not just be a wicketkeeper. He would be a statement signing: Indian, explosive, marketable and capable of becoming a new core player.

3. Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR’s case is very interesting because Pant solves a specific structural issue. Kolkata have power, spin-hitters and finishers, but they do not have a settled Indian wicketkeeper-batter in the middle order.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi has kept wickets in patches, but he is not a long-term specialist keeper option.

Pant would give KKR exactly what their batting order often needs: a left-handed middle-order destroyer who can attack spin and change the mood of a game in two overs.

A Pant-Rinku Singh middle order at Eden Gardens would be frightening. Both are left-handers, but they attack differently. Rinku is calmer and more controlled at the death, while Pant brings chaos, sweeps, reverse hits and sudden acceleration. Together, they would force captains into very awkward matchups.

Eden Gardens also suits Pant’s range. He can hit square, sweep spin, and go straight when bowlers overcorrect. KKR have never been shy about spending big for role-specific players, and Pant would tick too many boxes to ignore.

Final verdict on Rishabh Pant

If Pant becomes available, GT, MI and KKR should all be serious bidders. GT offers the cleanest cricketing reset under Shubman Gill. MI offer the biggest brand-stage comeback and a perfect Wankhede role. KKR offer the most exciting middle-order fit alongside Rinku Singh.

Pant’s LSG stint did not work, but that does not mean his IPL value has disappeared. It may simply mean he needs a team where he is not carrying the captaincy, the price tag, and the batting identity all at once. In the right setup, Pant can still become one of the most dangerous Indian match-winners in the league.