Confirmation Amid Speculations
New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) – Contrary to speculations on Saturday that Rishabh Pant could be moving out of Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, sources have confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter will remain with the franchise.
Media Rumors Dispelled
Since Saturday morning, various media sections claimed that Pant, also DC’s captain, was potentially leaving the franchise. They linked him to a move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), led by M.S Dhoni. However, sources have stated that Pant is still with DC and will be retained alongside Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, crucial players for the team in recent seasons. The trio were also part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in Barbados on June 29.
Pant’s Journey with DC
Pant has been with DC since 2016 when he was picked in the auction after scoring 111 off 96 balls for India in the U19 World Cup quarterfinal in Bangladesh. Since then, Pant has been a mainstay for DC, amassing 3284 runs in 111 games, averaging 35.31 with a strike rate of 148.93, including a century and 18 fifties.
Leadership and Performance
Pant, who captained DC in IPL 2021, 2022, and 2024, has also taken 75 catches and effected 38 stumpings as a wicketkeeper. DC is currently searching for a new head coach post-Ricky Ponting’s departure.
K.L. Rahul to RCB?
Meanwhile, it has emerged that K.L. Rahul could move to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), with sources noting that talks are in the ‘very initial stage.’ Rahul has led LSG since their IPL debut in 2022 and had a previous stint with RCB in 2013 and 2016, yielding 397 runs in 14 innings.
Awaiting Official Announcements
There has been no official word yet on player retentions, salary, or the Right to Match (RTM) option at the mega auction. All eyes will be on the 10 franchise owners’ meeting with BCCI at the end of this month, followed by frenetic activity until the retained players’ submission deadline and trading period comes into effect.(online casino real money)