[Watch] "Goodbyes are never easy" - Rishabh Pant bids adieu to Delhi Capitals after IPL 2025 auction
Star Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant parted ways with Delhi Capitals (DC) after being associated with the team for nine years in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 27-year-old was not retained by the team ahead of the recently concluded IPL 2025 auction.
Pant was initially signed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on the first day of the IPL 2025 mega auction for ₹20.75 crore. However, Delhi exercised its Right to Match (RTM) card for their former skipper.
Lucknow increased their bid to a whopping ₹27 crore to eventually snap up the talented stumper. With the deal, Pant earned the tag of being the most expensive player in the league's history.
Following his departure from Delhi, Pant shared a video on his Instagram account, featuring some of his moments from his time with the franchise. He also penned a heartfelt note, thanking the fans for their unwavering support.
Pant wrote :
"𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗯𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆. The journey with Delhi Capitals has been nothing short of amazing. From the thrills on the field to the moments off it, I’ve grown in ways I never imagined. I came here as a teenager and we grew together over the last nine years."
"What made this journey all worthwhile is you, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙨.. You’ve embraced me, cheered for me and stood by me in one of the toughest phases of my life. As I move on, I carry your love and support in my heart. I’ll look forward to entertain you whenever I take the field. Thank you for being my family and making this journey so special," he concluded.
Rishabh Pant appears to be the frontrunner to lead LSG in IPL 2025. Besides Lucknow, teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) also went all out at the auction, hoping to rope in the southpaw's services.
"Looking forward to making a lot of memories" - Rishabh Pant reacts after being picked up LSG at IPL 2025 auction
Rishabh Pant expressed his excitement about joining the Lucknow camp ahead of IPL 2025. He thanked the LSG think tank for showing faith in his abilities.
In a video shared by the Lucknow-based franchise on its Instagram handle, Pant said:
"I am really excited to be part of LSG. Thank you management for showing lots of faith in me. And really looking forward to making a lot of memories."
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is part of India's Test squad for the ongoing five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against Australia. India clinched a 295-run victory in the opening encounter in Perth. The second contest will take place in Adelaide, beginning December 6.