Rishabh Pant has all but confirmed his split from the Delhi Capitals, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that his release was based on factors unrelated to salary. With the IPL auction fast approaching, questions abound regarding Pant’s next team for the 2025 IPL season after Delhi Capitals made the surprising decision to release their long-time captain and leading player.
Pant’s Possible Return to DC Uncertain Amid Release
Speculation persists regarding whether Pant could be brought back to Delhi Capitals using their Right to Match (RTM) card. However, Pant’s statements suggest that his relationship with the franchise has ended. Responding to a Star Sports post where cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar proposed a financial dispute as a possible reason for Pant’s release, Pant made it clear that his non-retention wasn’t tied to financial disagreements.
Gavaskar’s Comments on Possible Financial Disagreement
Sunil Gavaskar shared his opinion on Pant’s exit, suggesting a potential disagreement over compensation might have influenced the decision. He stated, “Franchises and players often discuss financial expectations during retention talks. Many players retained by their teams have received higher salaries than the typical retention amount, so it’s possible Pant and Delhi Capitals couldn’t reach an agreement there. But I believe Delhi would still want him back, especially considering they’ll need a captain if he’s not in their lineup.”
He added that Pant’s leadership skills would make him a priority for the franchise, emphasizing Delhi’s need for a seasoned captain if Pant does not return.
Pant Responds, Indicating Issues Beyond Financials
Pant responded directly to Gavaskar’s comments, stating, “My release wasn’t about the money, that I can confirm.” This remark highlights the tension between Pant and the Delhi Capitals management, hinting at internal disagreements beyond finances. Despite nearly a decade with the franchise and a notable record—111 matches since his 2016 debut, accumulating 3,284 runs and becoming the team’s top run-scorer—Pant’s recent comments suggest a breakdown in trust with Delhi.
Possible Teams for Pant’s IPL Future
As Pant departs Delhi, the franchise retained players like Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel. With the exit of Pant, Delhi will likely target a high-profile Indian batter, and names like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan could be on their radar.
Pant himself may be considering other franchises, with some reports linking him to the Punjab Kings, who have a strong budget for the upcoming auction and may also be seeking a new captain. This would reunite Pant with Ricky Ponting, a former Delhi Capitals head coach now with the Punjab Kings, making it a potentially ideal landing spot for the wicketkeeper-batsman.
There are also rumoured links between Pant and the Chennai Super Kings, though a move to CSK appears unlikely as the team has retained MS Dhoni as their wicketkeeper and designated Ruturaj Gaikwad as their captain for the season.
Upcoming Matches and Auction Timeline
Pant’s focus will soon shift to the international arena as he competes in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, beginning November 22 in Perth. Shortly after, the IPL auction will take place on November 24 and 25, where Pant’s future team is expected to be decided.
Click here to know more.
