“Wasn’t About the Money”: Rishabh Pant Opens Up on Delhi Capitals Non-Retention Ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction

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Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has addressed his departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, claiming that his non-retention was not due to financial demands.

Dismissing allegations by Sunil Gavaskar that financial disagreements led to his non-retention, Pant posted on X, "My retention wasn’t about the money for sure that I can say."

Pant’s comments came after Gavaskar suggested that Pant might have asked for a higher retention fee, leading to DC parting ways.

"Auction dynamics are completely different… Sometimes when the player is to be retained, there is talk between the player and the franchise about the fees that are expected,” Gavaskar was seen saying in a video. “You can see some of the players who have been retained by their franchise have gone for more than what their deduction fee would have been.”

"Maybe there was some disagreement there but my feeling is that Delhi would definitely want Pant back.. because they need a captain as well,” Gavaskar continued. “If Rishabh Pant is not in their squad, they would have to look for that as well. Delhi will definitely go for Rishabh Pant.”

Rishbah Pant to Spark Bidding War in IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

Pant had an exceptional IPL 2024 season, amassing 446 runs at a strike rate of 155.40. Over his 111-match IPL career, the 27-year-old has tallied 3,284 runs at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93. He has also registered one century and 18 half-centuries.

With a base price of ₹2 crore, Pant is expected to spark a bidding war at the auction, potentially fetching over ₹20 crore. His explosive batting and wicketkeeping skills make him one of the most sought-after players in IPL 2025.

Delhi Capitals Likely to Reconsider Rishabh Pant

DC retained only four players – Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel – leaving ₹73 crore in their auction purse. Despite releasing Pant, Gavaskar believes the franchise will aim to reacquire him, given his leadership qualities and stellar form.

Franchise dynamics hint at an intense competition for Pant. Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are well-positioned with ample budgets to secure his services. However, a return to DC remains plausible.