New Delhi: Delhi Capitals (DC) are expected to make another big move ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction after letting go of Ricky Ponting. DC parted ways with head coach Pnting last week after seven years in charge and the franchise is now reportedly mulling over whether to retain or release captain Rishabh Pant.
As per a report in Dainik Jagran, the Delhi Capitals think tank is not too happy with Pant and the team’s performance under him. The franchise is also exploring the option of trading Pant before the mega auction which is scheduled to take place later this year. DC’s Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly is, however, not in the fav our of releasing Pant and wants the franchise to keep him.
Pant has been part of the Delhi Capitals franchise since the start of his IPL career in 2016 and has already spent nine seasons with the team. He was appointed as captain of the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021 in the absence of Shreyas Iyer, who was injured. Despite Iyer making his comeback halfway through the season, Pant was retained as captain.
DC released Iyer the following year and handed over the reins to Pant. The India wicket-keeper batter missed IPL 2023 entirely after suffering a horrific accident in December 2022 before making his comeback in IPL 2024 this year. Pant led the team throughout their campaign but failed to take them to the playoffs.
DC made it to the playoffs in Pant’s first season as captain in 2021 but failed to go the distance as they lost in the 2nd Qualifier to miss out on the trophy. DC have since failed to make it to the playoffs in their last three seasons and are planning a major overhaul ahead of IPL 2025.
Rishabh Pant to replace MS Dhoni?
As per the report in Dainik Jagran, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might pounce on the opportunity to rope in Pant if he is released by the Delhi Capitals. CSK legend MS Dhoni shares a close bond with Pant and the five-time champions might go for him as a long-term replacement for the former India captain. Dhoni is yet to confirm his IPL future amid intense speculations over his retirement.
However, it is understood that CSK will look for an Indian wicket-keeper as a replacement for him if he decides to hang up his boots. “If MS Dhoni doesn’t play next year, we will try to get one of the top wicket-keepers in the country,” a CSK source was quoted as saying by Dainik Jagran.
Dhoni had handed over the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad after stepping down from captaincy last season and was expected to call it quits after the end of the season. However, Dhoni is yet to open up on his future with CSK and it remains to be seen if he will turn up to play in IPL 2025 next year.
Delhi Capitals is reportedly unhappy with captain Rishabh Pant and is mulling over whether to release or retain him ahead of the mega auction later this year. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might pounce on the opportunity if Pant is released by DC. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
