"25-30 crores, whatever he deserves"- Suresh Raina's prediction for Rishabh Pant at IPL 2025 auction
Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina feels wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will fetch ₹25-30 crores in the upcoming IPL 2025 Mega auction. After nine years with the Delhi Capitals (DC) since his IPL debut in 2016, Pant was not retained by the franchise.
The Capitals instead chose to retain the spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, along with South Africa's Tristan Stubbs and wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel. Considering his value as a versatile middle-order batter, wicket-keeper, and captain, Pant will be high on several teams' radar during the auction.
Speaking to the TOI about the Indian wicketkeeper's value, Raina said:
"We should really look at this as an opportunity. If you see the Australian players, they are getting paid (big money). Then why not our players! He (Pant) is a captain, gun player, gun wicket-keeper. If you look at his brand value, he is good for endorsement, so he should get (the money) as well -- Rs. 25-30 crores, whatever he deserves."
Rishabh Pant missed the entire 2023 IPL season due to injury but made a stunning comeback this year. The 27-year-old scored 446 runs in 13 matches in IPL 2024 at an average of over 40 and a strike rate of 155.40.
He also played a crucial role at No.3 during India's unbeaten run to the title in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.
"Rishabh has that attitude to win a cup anywhere" - Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina feels several teams like the Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants, among others will go all-out for Rishabh Pant's services during the IPL 2025 auction.
As unlikely as it may be, even DC can acquire Pant at the auction using their Right-To-Match (RTM) card.
"Rishabh has that attitude to win a cup anywhere. He tried in Delhi, worked very hard there. CSK has to make a team and they have 55 crores left with them and if they buy one player for 25-30 crores, then they have to make a squad of 18 (atleast). Punjab has the money (110.50 crores), Delhi has RTM. I won't be surprised if he (Pant) goes to RCB (83 crores left) because they are also looking for a captain," said Raina.
Pant captained DC for three seasons in 2021, 2022, and 2024 but the side qualified for the playoffs only once (2021). Despite showing glimpses of promise last season, they only finished sixth with seven wins in 14 outings.