Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that Rishabh Pant will not return to Delhi Capitals in the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Pant was not included in the Delhi Capitals save list recently.
While the franchise has the option to buy him back through a Right to Match (RTM) card, Pant is unlikely to go after him as he will command a very high price. During the video, Chopra also claimed that only Punjab Kings or Royal Challengers Bengaluru can sign Pant.
Both Punjab Kings and RCB have the highest amount left in their wallets and hence there is a big chance of signing Rishabh Pant. Pant can command a high price due to his stature as an IPL and international player.
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Will Rishabh Pant return to Delhi Capitals? Aakash Chopra answers
Aakash Chopra spoke about the retention of Delhi Capitals during a video on his YouTube channel. He named Jake Fraser-McGurk as one of his retainers via RTM, but had doubts about Pant returning to Delhi Capitals.
“They have ‘Right To Match’ cards left for a doubleheader. They can use the ‘Right To Match’ card for Jake Fraser-McGurk and get him as well. I don’t think they will go for Rishabh Pant for anything special. They will show interest they can, but after a certain budget they’ll say they’re not interested,” he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also pointed out that Rishabh Pant might have an ego problem with Delhi Capitals and the franchise might not decide to go for him at all. According to him, Pant’s latest offer may be too high, making it very difficult for him to return to his previous franchise.
“If it’s an ego issue, if they don’t need it at all, they might not paddle. Anything can happen. I don’t see Rishabh Pant going back there. Either after Rishabh Pant, they won’t go at all. Even if they do, they won’t be able to get it because when they use the RTM card the final bid will be beyond Delhi Capitals’ means but they won’t spend,” he said.
Delhi Capitals were reportedly interested in retaining Pant, but not as captain. Both Pant and Delhi Capitals were in talks till the last minute, but in the end the wicketkeeper-batsman decided to part ways with the franchise.
Rishabh Pant is the captain of Delhi Capitals since IPL 2021. Apart from IPL 2023 (when he was unable to play due to a horrific car accident), he has led the team in every season till the last season.
Aakash Chopra revealed which team can get Rishabh Pant
In addition to the video, Aakash Chopra named Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings as two franchises that have the budget to acquire Rishabh Pant’s services. As Pant is likely to go for a huge amount, many franchises will not be able to bid for him.
“Where do I see the struggle for Rishabh Pant? If you have to buy Rishabh Pant, you have to have more than 70 crores because he will only get 25-30 crores. If he gets 25-30 crores, how will you get the rest. 110 crores of the team (Punjab Kings ) and RCB, one of them will get it,” he said.
Remaining budgets for Punjab Kings and RCB
Punjab Kings have the highest budget for the IPL 2025 auction and will look to build a solid squad ahead of the upcoming season. The team has only two players in its squad – Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has the second highest budget left in the wallet. Only INR 83 crore is left with the RCB franchise. They kept three players in total, Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar as closed players and Yash Dayal as opener.
