Explained: Why is Rishabh Pant looking to leave Delhi Capitals and register himself for IPL 2025 Auctions?

The clock is ticking for teams that have to submit their list of retained players ahead of the IPL 2025 auctions. Rishabh Pant, according to reports, is looking to snap ties with Delhi Capitals ahead of the coming season. Just a few days ago, Pant tweeted, “If I go to the auction, will I be sold or not, and for how much?"

CRICBUZZ reported that the Indian wicketkeeper has met with the owners of the franchise several times. The two sides spoke on a variety of issues including the next coach of the team. Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting had stepped down from his position as the coach just a few months ago. 

One of the biggest causes for concern is the retention price. According to reports, Delhi wants to retain Pant for INR 18 crores. This amount though isn’t what Pant is looking for to extend his stay with his home team. The reports also suggest that Delhi Capitals owners feel that Pant’s form in white ball cricket isn’t as consistent as his Test form. 

Will Rishabh Pant indeed leave Delhi Capitals?

The ultimate answer is with the owners and the player himself. In this case, Rishabh Pant doesn’t hold much sway over what the team is looking for. Delhi will be looking at a complete overhaul during the coming IPL 2025 auction. The likes of David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and other stars could be released. 

At this stage, Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, Anrich Nortje, and Kuldeep Yadav are the only retentions likely. If Pant can come to terms with the team management it will put him right in the top slot as far as the players retained are concerned. Delhi, along with Bengaluru and Punjab, are the only three original teams yet to win the title. 

The last time Delhi Capitals came closer to the IPL title was in 2020 under Shreyas Iyer where they reached the finals. Every auction, Delhi Capitals spend a lot of money but this time their onus will be on team building. With youngsters like Abhishek Porel, and Rasikh Salam Dar also in the fray, the team management will have to be wise with their choices. 

Rishabh Pant has played 111 games in the IPL, all of them for Delhi Capitals. The left-handed wicketkeeper and batter is also the captain of the side. In those 111 games, Pant has scored 3284 runs with one century and 18 fifties. His average is 35.31 and his strike rate of 184 with 296 fours and 154 sixes.