RCB eyeing to bag Rishabh Pant in the IPL 2025 mega auction?

As the retention deadline for IPL 2025 approaches, several shocking updates are emerging from respective camps. According to recent reports from DC, Rishabh Pant is likely to enter the IPL 2025 mega auction. Just a few weeks ago, the DC management expressed their clarity over the retention of Rishabh Pant. The team, co-owned by the JSW and GMR groups, is currently under the watch of the GMR group for the next two years. However, both stakeholders reportedly arrived at a mutual decision to retain their skipper ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Yet, as the retention deadline approaches, another report suggests that Pant's time within the group may be coming to an end.

DC to release Rishabh Pant ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

Rishabh Pant took over the captaincy of Delhi Capitals in 2021, replacing an injured Shreyas Iyer at that time. However, in a shocking and seemingly controversial decision, Delhi Capitals released Iyer from the side ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, while retaining Pant as team captain. Shreyas Iyer was then picked by Kolkata Knight Riders and was subsequently made team captain the following year. Pant led Delhi in IPL 2022, but he missed the 2023 IPL season due to injuries from an unfortunate car accident, with David Warner stepping in as captain. Upon his recovery, Pant was reinstated as the team's leader for IPL 2024.

However, now that Ricky Ponting has left the coaching panel of Delhi Capitals, it is reported that the wicketkeeper-batsman will not continue with the franchise and is set to enter the IPL 2025 mega auction. Following IPL 2024, Ricky Ponting left DC and subsequently joined the Punjab Kings camp for the upcoming editions. Moreover, Sourav Ganguly will also be absent from the setup for the next two years as JSW hands over the management to the GMR group. Former cricketer Hemang Badani is the new head coach of Delhi Capitals, while Venugopal Iyer replaces Ganguly as the Director of Cricket.

Pant's exit stems from a tussle between the player and the management’s contrasting views on the captaincy. Reportedly, the Delhi management isn’t keen on continuing with Rishabh Pant as the leader of the Capitals. However, Pant has stated multiple times that he will remain with Delhi only if the leadership stays with him. Thus, with neither side relenting, it is highly likely that Rishabh Pant will seek a new team for IPL 2025 and beyond.

Interestingly, recent reports suggest that fan-favorite Royal Challengers Bangalore is eyeing Rishabh Pant in the mega auction. Additionally, if the speculations about KL Rahul leaving Lucknow Super Giants turn out to be true, LSG may also be interested in picking Pant as their new captain. Rishabh Pant, however, tweeted to dismiss an earlier rumor that claimed he would join RCB through the trade window. Nevertheless, with Pant showing signs of brilliance despite his recent injury, the 26-year-old could spark a bidding war if he enters the IPL 2025 mega auction.