IPL 2025 mega auction: 3 teams who might target Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has been released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

One of the most shocking releases made by a franchise ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is that of Rishabh Pant, whose long-term association with Delhi Capitals seems to have ended for now.

Pant had played his entire IPL career, starting in 2016, with the Delhi franchise. He has featured in 111 matches, scoring over 3000 runs, with one century and 18 fifties. He captained Delhi in IPL 2021, 2022, and 2024, missing the 2023 edition due to injuries suffered in a car accident.

He made a strong comeback to the IPL 2024 and to the Indian team across formats this year and is touted to lead India in test cricket at least in the future. All of this makes it very surprising that Delhi didn’t retain Pant, though it has been learned that the two parties couldn’t end on the same page.

One team’s loss will be another’s gain as Pant will be up for grabs in the IPL 2025 mega auction, where other franchises will have the opportunity to get his services.

Delhi Capitals will have the option to use their RTM card on Pant but that feels unlikely at the moment.

Three teams who might target Rishabh Pant in the IPL 2025 mega auction:

3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB have retained only three players and their releases include captain Faf du Plessis and wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, who is retired from IPL. RCB have a huge purse of INR 83 crores and look set to go after Pant, who would fill both the roles of a captain and keeper in their side.

Pant will further add left-handedness to RCB’s batting line-up which so far includes right-handers Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. If picked by RCB, Pant will also enjoy the batting paradise that is the M. Chinnaswamy stadium.

2. Punjab Kings

Once again PBKS will be going into the auction with the largest purse among all teams – INR 110.5 crores – as they have retained only two uncapped players.

Punjab’s captains of the last season, Shikhar Dhawan (retired) and Sam Curran, both have been released and they have also surprisingly let go of wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma, who made his India debut in 2023.

Ricky Ponting, the former Delhi Capitals coach, has joined PBKS as the head coach and has worked extensively with Pant since 2018. Expect Punjab to bid fiercely for Pant in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction as they look for a new leader.

1. Chennai Super Kings

CSK have retained both their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and wicket-keeper MS Dhoni. Yet, there is a feeling that the five-time champions would be interested in roping in Rishabh Pant.

Gaikwad’s captaincy was viewed to be timid by many fans last season – his inexperience in the role came to the fore as CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs – while Dhoni is 43 and on his way out soon. With Jadeja also in the last phase of his career, CSK could target Pant for multiple roles – captaincy, keeper, and a left-handed middle-order batsman.

Recently, CSK legend Suresh Raina made an interesting comment on Jio Cinema, saying, “I met MS Dhoni in Delhi, Pant was also there. I think something big is to happen. Someone will be wearing a yellow jersey soon.”

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