If Pant enters the auction, he is expected to be in high demand, as many teams are seeking an Indian wicketkeeper who can also take on a leadership role.
India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is expected to be released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 season, as the franchise have finalized their retention list for the upcoming mega auction next month.
According to Times of India, Rishabh Pant not only requested to stay on as captain of Delhi Capitals but also expressed a desire to be involved in selecting the coaching staff. However, the franchise reportedly wasn’t fully satisfied with his T20 performances, leading to their decision not to retain him.
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Many franchises have reportedly shown interest in signing Pant, and if he enters the auction, he is expected to be in high demand, as many teams are seeking an Indian wicketkeeper who can also take on a leadership role.
Now let’s look at the teams that could be interested in signing Rishabh Pant.
Kolkata Knight Riders
As Kolkata Knight Riders have decided to release Shreyas Iyer ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, the team will be left without a captain. While KKR are retaining Phil Salt, who was their wicketkeeper last season, Rishabh Pant can offer both wicketkeeping and leadership options.
Adding Pant to the team would be a massive addition because he can bolster the middle order and also add some valuable experience to the side, especially among Indian players.
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings, who are retaining only two players, will focus on building their team from the scratch. Rishabh Pant would be a valuable addition as captain, if they sign him. Since they are retaining Prabhsimran, who was their wicketkeeper last season, Pant’s arrival will allow Prabhsimran to serve as a solid backup option and play as a batter.
With a significant amount of money available, Punjab Kings can make a competitive bid if there’s a bidding war for Pant. Moreover, with Ricky Ponting appointed as the head coach for Punjab Kings, there’s a chance we could see him and Pant working together again, as they previously worked at Delhi Capitals.
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Lucknow Super Giants
According to reports, LSG has decided to release KL Rahul, as he wants to step away for personal reasons. Rahul led LSG for the last three seasons. With Rishabh Pant entering the auction, LSG will target him as a wicketkeeper-captain option, which they were looking for in Rahul. Although Rahul was the wicketkeeper-captain for the team, he struggled to perform well with the bat.
While they are retaining Pooran, who is also a wicketkeeper, he may not be the best choice for a captaincy role, making Pant an ideal candidate to fulfill both positions.
Chennai Super Kings
Given the recent developments, CSK are focusing on a new era while still valuing their experienced players. With MS Dhoni’s legendary career nearing its end and his role being limited due to fitness issues, the team is looking to bring in fresh talent. Reports suggest that CSK are considering bidding for Rishabh Pant.
As CSK plans for the future, one important question is who will lead the team in the long term. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the current captain, has shown great potential as both a batsman and a leader. However, if Pant joins the team, CSK could have two strong candidates for the captaincy.
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