Rishabh Pant Set to Enter IPL 2025 Mega Auction After Delhi Capitals Release: Report
Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, following his release from Delhi Capitals (DC), as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Negotiations between Pant and DC’s ownership reportedly broke down after extended discussions over the past few months, leading to the franchise’s decision not to retain the 27-year-old player.
Delhi Capitals have instead opted to retain a mix of seasoned and emerging players. Among those retained are Indian spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, South African batter Tristan Stubbs, and uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel. With these four players secured, DC heads into the auction with a budget of ₹73 crore to build out its squad.
Pant, who joined Delhi Capitals in 2016, took on the role of captain in 2021. He previously played a key role when the team, led by then-captain Shreyas Iyer, reached its first IPL final in 2020. In IPL 2024, Delhi Capitals narrowly missed a playoff spot, finishing with seven wins and seven losses, totaling 14 points but falling short due to net run rate.
The retained players posted notable performances in IPL 2024. Axar Patel appeared in 14 matches, scoring 235 runs with a strike rate of 131.28 and claiming 11 wickets with an economy of 24.00. Tristan Stubbs, a standout performer, scored 378 runs over 14 matches at an impressive strike rate of 190.91. Kuldeep Yadav took 16 wickets across 11 games, maintaining an economy rate of 8.70. Abhishek Porel, the uncapped talent, contributed 327 runs in 14 matches, achieving a strike rate of 159.51.
Delhi Capitals have also strengthened their coaching staff. Former Indian players Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao recently joined as head coach and director of cricket, respectively. Additionally, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has been appointed Director of Cricket for JSW Sports, a role through which he is expected to make a significant impact in Indian cricket.
As IPL 2025 approaches, Pant’s entry into the auction and DC’s strategic moves signal an intriguing season ahead for fans and franchises alike.
