The Delhi Capitals (DC) are already in talks with the potential replacement of Rishabh Pant. The wicketkeeper batter, who’s represented the Capitals since 2016, is all set to enter the IPL 2025 mega auction. The change in ownership of DC from JSW to GMR Group has seen them change their approach altogether, and they aren’t willing to retain Pant anymore.
Shreyas Iyer, DC captain once again?
DC are now targetting a former captain who led them from 2018-20, Shreyas Iyer. The current Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper isn’t likely to be retained by his franchise, much like Pant, and could very well return to his old franchise. One can argue that the decision to bring Shreyas back seems as unusual as letting him go back in 2021. But that’s for another day.
“With GMR appointing Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket and Hemang Badani as head coach, the outcome was inevitable. GMR is also in discussions with Shreyas Iyer, who captained the team to its only final in 2020 and who will no longer be with KKR. This setup is inherently complex and likely to be counterproductive for the team. So when management transitioned to GMR, they decided on a complete restructuring,” a source told PTI.
Rishabh Pant ‘hurt’
The Delhi Capitals’ decision to retain him has left Pant hurt and disappointed. DC is all Pant’s known in his IPL career. It’s where he first gained fame, and the world saw his special talent. The franchise also propelled him into the Indian cricket team. So, being labelled ‘unwanted’ by his franchise surely hurts.
But, no doubt, Pant will move on. Several teams have vacancies open, and Pant would slot right in. For teams like Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he can be the perfect option. All three are looking for a captain, and Pant’s more than capable of leading them.
Another team that will bid hard for him at the auction would be the Chennai Super Kings. Pant is being seen as MS Dhoni’s replacement by the Yellow Army, and knowing that the southpaw idolises Thala, he might just join CSK for IPL 2025.
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