Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Delhi Capitals released most of their players to make a fresh squad. DC’s captain, Rishabh Pant, has also been released.
Only four players have been retained, and Pant is not one of them.
Pant joined Delhi back in 2016, and since then, he has played 111 games for DC, scoring a total of 3,284 runs. With 18 half-centuries and one century, Pant has been one of the best batters ever for the Capitals. Starting in IPL 2021, Pant captained the Capitals, except in 2023, when he missed the season due to a serious accident.
There have been reports of disagreements between Pant and the DC management for some time. As per sources, Pant wanted to continue as the captain of the Delhi-based franchise, while the management had been exploring other options. Both parties discussed the matter extensively but failed to reach an agreement. As a result, the wicketkeeper-batter parted ways with the only team he had served.
As the mega auction for IPL 2025 approaches, a few teams are looking for leadership options, and others are in need of a strong batter to strengthen their squad. Rishabh Pant, being one of the best batters from India, is expected to attract high bids. According to experts, Pant could be sold for a huge fee, putting teams with smaller budgets out of the race to sign him.
1. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
With the largest auction purse of Rs. 110.5 crores, PBKS has a strong chance of securing Pant. They are undergoing a full squad revamp, and a player with Pant’s leadership skills could be pivotal. His batting ability and potential as a leader align well with Punjab’s current needs.
2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Reports suggest that Pant has expressed an interest in playing for CSK under MS Dhoni. CSK may view Pant as Dhoni’s potential successor. Acquiring him now would allow Dhoni to mentor Pant, grooming him as a suitable long-term captaincy option for CSK. Also, the southpaw will be cherishing the fact to play alongside the India legend for the first time in IPL, albeit for a season or so.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
With a significant budget of Rs. 83 crores, RCB might also pursue Pant, given their batter-heavy strategy and need for a captain. Pairing Pant with Virat Kohli could create a formidable top order and lay the foundation for a future RCB leader.
The bidding for Pant in the IPL 2025 mega auction will be intriguing, especially with budget constraints potentially limiting certain teams. Fans and franchises alike are eager to see which team will succeed in signing one of India’s finest batters.
