IPL 2025: Will Rishabh Pant Follow Ricky Ponting Out of Delhi Capitals & Join Successful Franchise?

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Ricky Ponting stepped down from Delhi Capitals head coach role last week, ending a 7-year stay at the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise. Now, rumours have emerged that skipper Rishabh Pant also could follow him out the exit door ahead of IPL 2025.

As per the latest gossip, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter will leave the Delhi-based franchise and join one of the most successful sides in the league in the form of four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

This wild rumour comes as CSK will most likely be in search of a wicketkeeper with the veteran and their most successful skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni probably transitioning into a mentor or coaching role from next season.

If Dhoni does quit playing from next season, CSK will definitely be looking for an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, although they will have many other options, to take his spot in the playing 11. But will Pant really bid good bye to Delhi Capitals and move on to different team? Here we take a look at the possibility:

Will Rishabh Pant leave Delhi Capitals before IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

Pant, who started his IPL career with the Delhi-based franchise back in 2016, is unlikely to abandon Delhi Capitals any time soon as the franchise have been loyal to him at the time of crisis. Pant also is expected to show his loyalty to the franchise.

However, if the franchise decides to move on from the wicketkeeper-batter, who is also the captain of the side, then that could be a different story. But DC will definitely look to retain Pant and build the side around him for their title challenge in the coming seasons.

DC is likely to retain Pant and Axar Patel as priority, and will decide on the other retentions once the new coaching set up is in place as the franchise is likely to move away from a core of Australians in the side following the departure of Ponting.

Will CSK sign Pant via trade or via the auction?

CSK will decide on their wicketkeeper only when MS Dhoni makes his decision. It is still possible the veteran continues playing for another season if the impact rule is retained.

However, if he does decide on moving to a coaching or mentor role, CSK may look at internal options if none of the external options are suitable replacements. The likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the current captain, and Devon Conway can don the gloves if required.

But if a player like Pant becomes available not only CSK, all the other teams also will be lining up a move for the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, who can also play the role of a good leader, which he has already shown in his time at DC.