Rishabh Pant’s cryptic tweet earlier today (November 19) has sparked speculation about his future with the Delhi Capitals, hinting that he may not return to the franchise for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). Pant, who has played for Delhi since his IPL debut, was not retained ahead of the upcoming mega-auction.
Pant took over as captain in 2021, succeeding Shreyas Iyer, who led the team to their maiden final in 2020 before moving to Kolkata Knight Riders. Under Pant’s leadership, Delhi Capitals finished fifth in 2022 and sixth in 2024. Despite being retained after a serious car accident ruled him out of the 2023 season, the franchise has now opted not to secure his services ahead of the new cycle.
During his nine-year tenure, Pant played 111 matches for Delhi Capitals, amassing 3,284 runs at an impressive strike rate of 148.93. His performances included a career-best 128*, his only IPL century. However, this long-standing association appears to be nearing its end.
Pant’s tweet and his response to speculation add fuel to the fire. Sunil Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports, suggested that retention talks might have faltered over fees. However, Pant dismissed the financial angle, stating, “My retention wasn’t about the money for sure.”
Gavaskar remains optimistic about Pant’s return to Delhi, highlighting the complexities of auction dynamics. “Delhi would certainly want Rishabh Pant back in their squad,” he said. Still, with the mega-auction looming, Pant’s future remains uncertain.
Pant’s possible departure marks a significant shift for the franchise, which has heavily relied on his explosive batting and leadership in recent years. As the auction approaches, all eyes will be on where the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman lands next, and how Delhi Capitals plan to rebuild without their star player.
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