"They might not lift the paddle at all if it's an ego issue" - Aakash Chopra on DC's chances of reacquiring Rishabh Pant at IPL 2025 auction
Aakash Chopra doesn't see the Delhi Capitals (DC) reacquiring Rishabh Pant at the IPL 2025 auction. He opined that the franchise might not even bid or try to use the 'Right To Match' (RTM) card for him if it's an ego issue.
The Capitals opted to release their last year's skipper Pant before the auction. They retained only four players - Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs and Abishek Porel - and have two RTM cards available.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener opined that the Capitals might be able to reacquire Jake Fraser-McGurk at the auction but not Pant.
"They have 'Right To Match' cards left for two capped players. They might use the 'Right To Match' card for Jake Fraser-McGurk and get him as well. I don't think they will go towards Rishabh Pant over a particular budget. They might show interest but will say they are not interested after a particular budget," he said (8:20).
"They might not lift the paddle at all if it's an ego issue, that they don't need him at all. Everything can happen. I don't see Rishabh Pant returning there. Either they will not go at all after Rishabh Pant and even if they go, they won't be able to get him because the last bid while using the RTM card will be beyond the Delhi Capitals' means. They will have money but they won't spend," Chopra added.
The Delhi Capitals spent ₹43.75 crore to retain the four players. However, ₹47 crore was cut from their kitty and they will have ₹73 crore available for the auction.
"You need to have more than 70 crores if you have to buy Rishabh Pant" - Aakash Chopra expects either PBKS or RCB to acquire Pant
![The Punjab Kings have retained only two uncapped players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/7cbba-17307849676095-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that either the Punjab Kings (PBKS) or the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would buy Rishabh Pant at the auction.
"Where do I see a fight for Rishabh Pant? You need to have more than 70 crores if you have to buy Rishabh Pant because he will only take 25 to 30 crores. If he takes 25 to 30 crores, how will you make the rest of the team? So the 110-crore ones (PBKS) and RCB, one of them will take him," he said (8:45).
The cricketer-turned-commentator acknowledged that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and most other franchises will also be interested in Pant. However, he reckons they won't be able to acquire him within their available budget.
"Although Chennai will try, they don't have that much money. No other team has that much money. If we leave Rajasthan (Royals) and maybe LSG (Lucknow Super Giants), every other team will want him as they need a keeper-batter. Gujarat might also be interested. Gujarat was very interested in him earlier but Delhi didn't want to release him then," Chopra observed.
CSK have retained five players - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni. They have an available purse of ₹55 crore heading into the auction.