pc: indiatvnews
The mega auction before the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is going to be held this month. Even though the dates have not been officially confirmed, the event is likely to be held on November 24 and 25 and the probable venue is Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All 10 teams announced their retained players lists on October 31 and Rishabh Pant was one of the few shock releases. Delhi Capitals parted ways with their captain for undisclosed reasons and the Indian wicketkeeper will be one of the most sought-after players in the auction. Let's take a look at the three teams that could target Pant in the auction:
1. Punjab Kings
Most likely, Punjab Kings will be adamant on including Rishabh Pant in the team. They are left with Rs 110.5 crore after retaining only two players – Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. Furthermore, Ricky Ponting is their head coach, who has worked with Pant at Delhi Capitals since 2021. In fact, apart from the 2023 edition, the Pant-Ponting duo have served as captain and coach for the Delhi franchise. There is every possibility of PBKS buying Pant in the auction from the very beginning.
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore
Another team that may try to buy Rishabh Pant is Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who have the second largest purse left – Rs 83 crore. After Dinesh Karthik's departure, they need a wicketkeeper and Pant is the best option. A player like Pant can enhance their batting options in the presence of Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. There could be a bidding race for Pant between RCB and PBKS and it remains to be seen whether he becomes the most expensive player ever in the IPL.
3.Chennai Super Kings
There is some possibility of Chennai Super Kings also buying Rishabh Pant in the auction. But they have only Rs 55 crore left and considering that Pant will be bought for Rs 18-20 crore, the five-time champions are finding it difficult to acquire him. However, recently Suresh Raina said that Pant is likely to wear the yellow jersey next season as he saw the cricketer with MS Dhoni during an event. “I met MS Dhoni in Delhi, Pant was also there. I think something big is going to happen. Soon someone will wear the yellow jersey,” Raina said on Jio Cinema.
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