IPL 2025 auction: "We will try but.." CSK CEO reacts to rumours linking Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant was released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

Rishabh Pant’s shocking exit from the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction has been a major talking point. Pant’s exit marked an ending to his nine-year tenure with Delhi.

Pant is among several Indian players marked at the base price of INR 2 crore for the mega auction. The Indian wicketkeeper is expected to emerge as one of the costliest players in the upcoming auction.

Speculation around Pant’s next destination is heating up, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerging as a possible contender. The five-time champions will go into the auction to find a long-term successor for MS Dhoni as a keeper and finisher.

Ahead of the auction, CSK decided to retain five key players—captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, and MS Dhoni.

There have been speculations that CSK might target Pant in the upcoming mega auction. The franchise CEO Kasi Viswanathan has addressed these rumours and spoken about their auction strategy.

Kasi Viswanathan points at the lack of budget to buy expensive players

Speaking to Ambati Rayudu on Provoke TV, Viswanathan spoke about their retained players, emphasizing the importance of retaining core players. He said, “We had discussions with Ruturaj, the captain, MS (Dhoni) and coach Stephen Fleming before we decided on the retentions. We were very clear that the players that helped the team grow, stabilise in the previous years were the ones very important for the CSK team to continue further.”

About going after top Indian players like Pant in the mega auction, Viswanathan acknowledged the challenge CSK faces heading into the auction with a relatively smaller purse

He stated, “We knew that if we retain these players, we would have a lesser purse to go into the auction. We knew that we wouldn’t be able to compete with the other teams when it comes to the best of the Indian players. I mean, we will still try, but I don’t think we’ll be able to get them at the auction.“

After their underwhelming performance last season, where they failed to reach the playoffs, CSK will look to assemble a stronger squad for the IPL 2025.

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