IPL 2025: The news of Rishabh Pant and Delhi Capitals (DC) parting ways ahead of the mega auction raised many eyebrows. Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar suggested that the disagreement over fees could the reason for the star cricketer parting with the franchise but Pant has said that the move had nothing to do with money.
Many thought DC will use the right to match (RTM) card for the wicketkeeper-batter who was also their captain since the departure of Shreyas Iyer. However, with confusion hanging over his return to DC, the star cricketer has likely ended all his ties with the Delhi franchise.
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"See auctions are completely different. So we don’t know how it would go. But what I feel is that Delhi would certainly want Rishabh Pant back in their squad," said Sunil Gavaskar.
"Sometimes you know when the player is to be retained, there is a talk between the franchise and the player about the expected fees. As you can see some of the players who have been retained by their franchise. They have gone for more than say what the number one retention fee deduction would be, so clearly, I think maybe there was some disagreement over there, but my feeling is that Delhi would definitely want Rishabh Pant back."
"Because they need a captain as well. If Rishabh Pant is not their squad then they have to look for a new captain as well so my feeling is Delhi will definitely go for Rishabh Pant," he added.
In reply to Gavaskar's comments, Pant said: "My retention wasn’t about the money for sure that I can say."
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His fiery response in public indicates that there was disagreement between the Delhi Capitals management and Pant. The cricketer was part of the Delhi franchise for decade-long. Pant played 111 times in the IPL for Delhi since making his debut in 2016. He is still the leading run-scorer of the franchise with 3284 runs and he was handed captaincy in 2021. DC could however only reach the Playoffs once since Pant took over as captain.
The wicketkeeper played for Delhi 111 times since his debut in 2016, and currently stands as the franchise’s leading run-scorer with 3284 runs. Pant also took captaincy of the Delhi franchise in 2021, but Delhi have only reached the IPL playoffs in one year since.
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