Rishabh Pant has been at the center point of attention after he was not retained by Delhi Capitals on IPL 2025 Retention Day. With the Team India star now available at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, teams will be engaging in bidding wars to get their hands on the southpaw. But Aakash Chopra believes that Delhi Capitals won’t go for their former skipper owing to ego concerns.
Reports emerged that Delhi Capitals and Rishabh Pant reached an impasse about his retention. Reports claimed that DC wanted to take away the captaincy from Pant and hand it over to Axar Patel. On the other hand, it was believed that Pant had lost trust in the team management after the appointment of a new manager and Director of Cricket.
Ego battle between Delhi Capitals and Rishabh Pant
“They have ‘Right To Match’ cards left for two capped players. They might use the ‘Right To Match’ card for Jake Fraser-McGurk and get him as well. I don’t think they will go towards Rishabh Pant over a particular budget. They might show interest but will say they are not interested after a particular budget,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Currently, Delhi Capitals have 2 Right To Match (RTMs) left which they can use on capped players. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that DC won’t lift the paddle of an ego issue. On the other hand, the excessive amount for which Pant would be sold can seriously drain DC in the auction.
“They might not lift the paddle at all if it’s an ego issue, that they don’t need him at all. Everything can happen. I don’t see Rishabh Pant returning there. Either they will not go at all after Rishabh Pant and even if they go, they won’t be able to get him because the last bid while using the RTM card will be beyond the Delhi Capitals’ means. They will have money but they won’t spend,” Chopra added.
Which Teams can get Rishabh Pant?
“Where do I see a fight for Rishabh Pant? You need to have more than 70 crores if you have to buy Rishabh Pant because he will only take 25 to 30 crores. If he takes 25 to 30 crores, how will you make the rest of the team? So the 110-crore ones (PBKS) and RCB, one of them will take him,” Chopra added.
It is believed that Rishabh Pant will be sold for a price of around 25-30 crores at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. InsideSport previously reported that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are keen to get their hands on the star batter. Chopra believes that it will be Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru who can afford him given the budget they have left.
“Although Chennai will try, they don’t have that much money. No other team has that much money. If we leave Rajasthan (Royals) and maybe LSG (Lucknow Super Giants), every other team will want him as they need a keeper-batter. Gujarat might also be interested. Gujarat was very interested in him earlier but Delhi didn’t want to release him then,” Chopra concluded.
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