Rishabh Pant is hottest commodity this IPL 2025 auction. Just about every expert has predicted India keep-batsman to become the most expensive buy ever in the IPL ever. And why not, he is excellent behind the wickets, is an even better batter, and a captain that every team would want in their ranks.
Rishabh Pant on Radar for IPL 2025 Auction
Just look at his T20 record. In 202 matches, he has scored 5022 runs at a strike rate of 145, and an average of 31.78. Just in IPL, he has scored 3284 runs in 111 matches at an average of 35. Those have come at a strike rate of 148. This year alone, he scored 446 runs at an average of 40.54, at an average of 155.40. So all that is enough for every team to spend a fortune on him.
But then, let’s analyse whether teams can afford him, or if he would fit the combination at all? Starting with CSK, they have retained MS Dhoni, and the team doesn’t need Rishabh Pant at a massive price. As it is, they have only a purse of INR 55 Cr left, and spending 25-30 Cr alone on Rishabh Pant won’t be the best idea. On the other hand, MI do need a keeper, but after spending 75 Cr on their IPL Retentions, they can’t afford him too. Instead a better choice would be buying back Ishan Kishan.
Only RCB, PBKS, GT and LSG in Race
DC, of course let him go, so Rishabh back in DC is ruled out, since he wasn’t retained by them. Then KKR have no budget as well, and 51 Cr won’t suffice to complete the rest of squad. That said, they don’t have any keeper for now. The southpaw will definitely be on the radar of teams who need a skipper as well.
KL Might go to RCB
That way, RR is also not in the race, since they have Sanju Samson as the keeper and captain. Coming now to the real contenders — RCB, PBKS, GT, and LSG. Virat Kohli’s team has no skipper and no keeper, and have a purse left of 83 Cr. So they can afford him for sure, and can build a team around as well. But then knowing RCB, they are known for some poor decisions at IPL auctions, and one feels they might target local boy KL Rahul for the dual role.
GT don’t have a keeper for now. They have 69 Cr in the bank and 1 RTM left. If they don’t want to spend on Rishabh, they have the option of retaining Matthew Wade or even Wriddhiman Saha, and save money for other biggies. LSG have a keeper, and maybe a skipper in Nicholas Pooran, and could RTM Quinton De Kock.
The only team left in the fray would be PBKS, who have 110 Cr left in the purse, have no captain, or a team, so to say. If they manage to get him, then the team could be centred around him. Yes, they have a keeper in Prabhsimran Singh, but then the India cap could take the team to next level.
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