New Delhi: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is reportedly said to be the top-retention choice of Delhi Capitals in the IPL mega auction for the next season. This comes after the 26-year-old was speculated to move to Chennai Super Kings.
According to a recent report from Cricbuzz, sources close to the Delhi Capitals’ ownership group have confirmed that Pant will be the franchise’s top retention regardless of the retention policy of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Indian cricket board is yet to roll out the retention policy for the potential mega auction.
The report further added that Pant, who is currently paid INR 16 crores at Delhi Capitals, is likely to receive better prize subject to the retention rules and the team’s purse value. The major reason for this decision is the meeting between Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal and Pant in Mumbai before the India vs Bangladesh first Test in Chennai.
On Saturday, Pant (109) slammed his sixth Test century during the second innings of India as the hosts set Bangladesh a monumental target of 515 to chase.
Rishabh Pant’s time at Delhi Capitals so far
Rishabh Pant was sold to Delhi Capitals (then called as Delhi Daredevils) for INR 1.90 crores in the IPL 2016 auction. He played 10 matches in the first season (2016), adding just 198 runs at a strike rate of 130.26. He got his breakthrough season in 2018 when he smashed 684 runs from 14 matches with the help of five half-centuries and a century (128* vs Sunrisers Hyderabad).
In IPL 2021, Pant was named the captain of Delhi Capitals, replacing the injured Shreyas Iyer. The Delhi player was retained by the home franchise as its first-choice player in IPL 2022 mega auction, fetching a whopping sum of INR 16 crores. After remaining absent in IPL 2023 owing to the horrific car crash accident, Pant returned to lead the team this year.
Pant has the most match appearances (111) for the Capitals and is also their highest run-scorer (3284). He has led the team in 43 matches, having won 23 and lost 19 with a 54.65 win percentage. Only Virender Sehwag (52) has captained in more matches than Pant for the IPL franchise.
Rishabh Pant is likely to receive better prize subject to the retention rules and the team’s purse value. The major reason for this decision is the meeting between Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal and Pant in Mumbai before the India vs Bangladesh first Test in Chennai. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
