 "Rishabh Pant has been leading Delhi Capitals since IPL 2021. AP")
Rumours of Rishabh Pant leaving the Delhi Capitals and joining Chennai Super Kings or one of the other franchises will likely be proven wrong with the franchise reportedly set to retain the wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the mega auction for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).
The development, reported by Cricbuzz, thus quashes talk of differences between the 26-year-old and the Delhi Capitals management regarding his retention fee. It also comes on the heels of his spectacular century on Test comeback against Bangladesh in Chennai on Friday.
Read | Rishabh Pant returns like he never left with record-equalling century in Chennai
The India wicketkeeper-batter currently draws Rs 16 crore and his fee is expected to go up keeping in mind the total purse allotted to franchises for the auction as well as the retention fee guidelines set by the BCCI.
Read | IPL 2025 auction to be held outside India in November end: Report
The report further mentions a recent meeting between Pant and DC co-owner Parth Jindal in Mumbai, which will have concluded with the two arriving at an agreement.
While Pant is said to be DC’s top retention pick, the franchise is also likely to retain spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, as well as Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs as their overseas retentions. If the BCCI’s retention guidelines allow franchises to retain uncapped players, DC’s pick might be wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel.
The Capitals will make a final decision on the matter after the BCCI finalises its retention guidelines.
Read | BCCI could defer decision on IPL player retention rule: Report
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPant had made his first competitive appearance since surviving a car accident in December 2022 during this year’s IPL. David Warner had led the Capitals in Pant’s absence last year, with the team finishing at the ninth spot in the 10-team table.
Though Pant was in red-hot form with the bat during the 17th season of the IPL, DC’s fortunes hardly improved as they finished at the sixth spot with seven wins and as many losses after winning four out of their first five matches.