Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has squashed rumors about Rishabh Pant leaving the Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Pant scored 446 runs in 13 matches of IPL 2024 at an average of 40.55 and a strike rate of 155.40 and finished as DC’s highest run-getter after making a comeback from multiple serious injuries, which he suffered in a horrific car accident.
Ergo, Pant was added to India’s T20 World Cup squad. Pant was backed by Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma to bat at number three and scored 171 runs in eight matches at an average of 24.43 to play an instrumental role in the team’s success.
Pant also made a fantastic comeback to Test cricket, returning with scores of 39 and 109 in the opening Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
“Rishabh Pant is not going anywhere. There were rumors that Rishabh Pant and the Delhi Capitals are parting ways. Ricky Ponting has gone to Punjab (Kings), so maybe Rishabh Pant could be Punjab’s new captain, or else Rishabh Pant said that he likes playing in Chennai a lot, so maybe it was Chennai (Super Kings),” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“However, there is a report on Cricbuzz that says that a full stop should be put on all the rumors. Rishabh Pant will be with the Delhi Capitals. A deal has been sealed with an inflated figure. Well done Delhi, this is one job you have done well. Keep him with you, you won’t get anyone again like him,” the former India opener added.
The renowned commentator feels Pant will not move to Punjab Kings despite Ricky Ponting taking over the coaching reins for the Mohali-based franchise.
“When he scored a century in Chennai, he said he likes playing there, and he loves Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni) a lot. Again the rumor market was hot that Rishabh Pant will play for CSK, but that’s also not happening, it seems like that. If we trust this report from Cricbuzz, he is going to stay at Delhi,” the former Kolkata Knight Riders player added.
Chopra wants Pant to stay at Delhi Capitals and lead the franchise to their first-ever title in the IPL.
“He was already at 16 crores, he will get huge money, and I like it. You stay there and make Delhi the champions. Delhi doesn’t win anything. The last time they won the Ranji Trophy was in 2007-08, we were playing that time. After that, they have not won the Ranji and have not won the IPL to date. They might win it under him,” he said.
IPL mega auction will take place in December.
