Has Rishabh Pant been retained by DC ahead of IPL 2025 auction?
Team India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was not retained by Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction. On Thursday, October 31, the franchise announced Axar Patel (₹16.5 crore), Kuldeep Yadav (₹13.25 crore), Tristian Stubbs (₹10 crore) and Abhishek Porel (₹4 crore) as their four retentions.
Pant's absence from DC's retention list surprised many, given that the 27-year-old had been associated with the franchise right from his debut season in 2016. He captained Delhi in 43 matches from 2021 to 2024.
The southpaw was a silver lining in DC's otherwise lacklustre campaign in 2024. Delhi failed to book a spot in the playoffs, finishing sixth in the points table with seven wins and as many losses. The keeper-batter was the leading run-getter for the side in the edition, chalking up 446 runs across 13 innings.
Pant is now set to enter the auction. The stumper is expected to be on the radar of many teams, especially those who are searching for a new captain.
Meanwhile, Delhi will enter the IPL 2025 mega-auction with a purse of ₹76.25 crore. It remains to be seen if one of their retained players is named their new skipper or if they look to rope in a captain at the auction.
"He might go for ₹25-30 crores" - Aakash Chopra expects Rishabh Pant to rake in big money at IPL 2025 mega auction
Ahead of the IPL 2025 retention announcements, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra suggested that Rishabh Pant will be in a lot of demand if he is part of the upcoming mega-auction. He opined that multiple teams would be interested in roping in the wicketkeeper and he could even fetch around ₹25-30 crore.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-commentator said:
"RCB need a keeper, a batter and maybe a captain. Punjab would need him as they won't have anyone. Delhi would need him back, the RTM card would be available. KKR also need him. What about CSK, they would also need him. If Ishan Kishan is left out, Mumbai would also need him.
"Why would LSG not be interested even if they retain Nicholas Pooran? Everyone apart from Rajasthan would need him. Gujarat will also need him. They don't have a keeper. So overall, Rishabh Pant will get a lot of money. He might go for 25-30 crores."
Rishabh Pant has 3,284 runs to his name from 111 IPL matches at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93.