Rishabh Pant lashes out at reports of joining RCB for IPL 2025

Rishabh Pant, the India wicketkeeper-batter and captain of the Delhi Capitals, firmly dismissed recent rumors of his transfer to Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Pant, who recently returned to cricket after a 15-month injury hiatus, addressed the speculation in a strong social media post on X. He criticized those responsible for spreading "misinformation" and urged them not to create unnecessary "untrustworthy environment." He emphasized the need for fact-checking and careful source verification before posting on social media.

Rishabh Pant took over the captaincy of Delhi Capitals in 2021 replacing an injured Shreyas Iyer at that point of time. However, in a shocking and a seemingly controversial decision, Delhi Capitals released Iyer from the side ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, meanwhile retaining Pant as the team captain. Shreyas Iyer was then picked by Kolkata Knight Riders and was subsequently made the team captain in the following year. Pant led Delhi in IPL 2022. However, 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.

Rishabh Pant refutes the rumors of leaving Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025

The news of Rishabh Pant leaving Delhi Capitals and joining another franchise ahead of IPL 2023 is not new. Right at the start of the season as Ricky Ponting left the Delhi dugout, speculations went rampant about the team planning to release Pant. Subsequently, the rumours of Rishabh Pant joining Chennai Super Kings for the upcoming season went significantly viral on social media. However, a few days ago, in a report by Cricbuzz, it was confirmed that the Delhi-based franchise has put Rishabh Pant as their primary retention pick for the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Despite the update, social media is abuzz with news informing of Pant joining a new team every other week. This time around, a specific report irked the Indian wicket-keeper who slammed the update in strong words.

"Don’t create untrustworthy environment for no reason. It’s not the first time and won’t be last but I had to put this out .please always re check with your so called sources. Everyday it’s becoming worst. Rest it’s upto you guys. It’s wasn’t just for you it’s for a lot for people who is spreading misinformation," Pant said in his reply to the fake information on X.

Fake news . Why do you guys spread so much fake news on social media. Be sensible guys so bad . Don’t create untrustworthy environment for no reason. It’s not the first time and won’t be last but I had to put this out .please always re check with your so called sources. Everyday…

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) September 26, 2024

With the mega auction looming, speculation around transfers has increased, although the BCCI is yet to confirm retention rules for the franchises. Reports suggest teams will be allowed five to six retentions, though clarity on Right to Match (RTM) cards is still pending. If the ongoing reports are to be believed, BCCI isn't keen on making RTM available for the IPL 2025 mega auction. All the 10 teams, in turn, will need to plan around the 5 or 6 retentions allowed for the season.