During his tenure with Lucknow, Pant captained the team for two seasons, but the results were less than favorable, with the franchise finishing seventh in 2025 and last in 2026. Jaffer emphasized that Pant's primary focus should be on regaining his form rather than taking on the additional burden of leadership. “If Delhi Capitals even offer him the captaincy, I think it is better for him to say no. I think it is better for him to play as a player because his performance has come down,” Jaffer stated in a recent YouTube discussion.
Focus on Performance Over Leadership
Pant's return to the Capitals comes on the heels of a season that raised questions about
Jaffer further suggested that KL Rahul might be a more suitable candidate for the captaincy if the Delhi Capitals decide to make a change. He noted that Rahul has been enjoying his role as a player, which allows him to focus on his performance without the added pressures of leadership. “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,” Jaffer elaborated. With new coach Sourav Ganguly at the helm, the Capitals face a challenging decision regarding their leadership structure, especially after a disappointing season.
