Rishabh Pant Denies Money Dispute with Delhi Capitals
Rishabh Pant, a top target in the IPL 2025 mega auction, has denied claims he left Delhi Capitals over a dispute about his retention fee. Pant addressed the speculation after Sunil Gavaskar’s discussion on Star Sports. The cricket legend suggested a possible financial disagreement.
The curious case of Rishabh Pant & Delhi! 🧐
🗣 Hear it from #SunilGavaskar as he talks about the possibility of @RishabhPant17 returning to the Delhi Capitals!
📺 Watch #IPLAuction 👉 NOV 24th & 25th, 2:30 PM onwards on Star Sports Network & JioCinema! pic.twitter.com/ugrlilKj96
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 19, 2024
On X (formerly Twitter), Pant said, “I can definitely say that my retention wasn’t motivated by money.” This ended rumors about his exit from the franchise for financial reasons.
Gavaskar’s Analysis of Pant’s Exit
In a pre-auction analysis, Sunil Gavaskar speculated. Top players, like Pant, sometimes leave their teams to test their market value. Gavaskar noted that the Delhi Capitals had retained Pant as captain and star player. They might have struggled to meet his expectations during retention talks.
“Sometimes, when a player is to be retained, there is talk about expected fees,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports. “Some retained players go for higher amounts than the No. 1 retention fee. My feeling is that Delhi would definitely want Pant back because they need a captain as well. If Rishabh Pant is not in their squad, they have to look for a new leader.”
Gavaskar also suggested that Delhi Capitals will bid for Pant in the auction. They rely on him as a player and a leader.
All Eyes on IPL 2025 Auction
With his name in the auction pool, Rishabh Pant is set to become one of the most coveted players this season. Reports say all 10 IPL franchises will vie for the Indian wicket-keeper batter. However, the budgets of several teams suggest that franchises like Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore could be the frontrunners to secure him.
Despite his departure, a return of Pant to Delhi Capitals is possible. The team is interested in reacquiring him. The IPL 2025 auction is shaping up to be a battle for one of Indian cricket’s brightest stars.
Key Stats and Context:
- Player in Focus: Rishabh Pant, wicket-keeper batter
- Previous IPL Team: Delhi Capitals
- 2025 Auction Dynamics:
- Teams with high purse balance: Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore
- Delhi Capitals expected to bid for Pant to fill captaincy void
This auction will decide Rishabh Pant’s next team. It will also show how franchises balance their budgets to get star players.
