Rishabh Pant and the Delhi Capitals (DC) have officially parted ways ahead of the IPL 2024 mega-auction. Despite the franchise’s strong interest in retaining the star keeper-batter and multiple discussions, no agreement was reached.
As a result, Pant was released and is now listed with a base price of INR 2 crore for the IPL 2025 mega-auction, set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah.
Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that Pant may still return to Delhi Capitals during the auction.
He speculated that a disagreement over the retention fee might have led to the player’s release but expressed confidence that DC would aim to secure Pant once again.
“The auction dynamics are completely different, so we don’t know how it will go. But I feel Delhi would certainly want Rishabh Pant back in their squad. Sometimes, during retention talks, there are discussions between the franchise and the player about the fees expected,” Gavaskar shared.
He added, “Some retained players have received more than what the first retention fee deduction would be. So, there might have been some disagreement. But I believe Delhi needs Pant back, especially since they also need a captain.”
Addressing speculation, Rishabh Pant clarified his decision on social media. Replying to a post on his X account, Pant stated, “My retention wasn’t about the money for sure, that I can say.”
While he didn’t elaborate further, reports suggest that Pant was unhappy with the team’s management.
The franchise’s decision to split leadership responsibilities into a rotational model every two years may have influenced Pant’s decision to step away.
Pant’s departure marks a significant shift for DC, but with the mega-auction on the horizon, fans are eager to see how his future in the IPL unfolds.