Rishabh Pant has clarified that financial disagreements were not the main reason behind his release from the Delhi Capitals. The franchise, which he joined in 2016 and captained in recent seasons, opted to retain only four players: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel on the retention deadline on October 31.
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar had speculated that a financial dispute could have played a role in Pant’s departure.
Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “Sometimes, when the player is to be retained, there is a talk between the franchise and the player about the fees that are expected. Some players have been retained for amounts higher than the standard retention deduction, so perhaps there was a disagreement there. My feeling is that Delhi will definitely go for Rishabh Pant in the auction because they need a captain as well.”
However, Pant was quick to address these remarks, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify his stance.
“My retention wasn’t about the money for sure that I can say,” Pant posted, putting to rest speculation surrounding his release.
The star wicketkeeper-batter, who has set his base price at INR 2 crore for the upcoming auction, is expected to be one of the most sought-after players.
Despite Delhi Capitals holding two Right to Match (RTM) cards—both reserved for a capped player or can be split into one capped and another uncapped —there is growing skepticism about whether they will use it to bring Pant back.
Gavaskar had earlier hinted that the Capitals might prioritize Pant in the auction, especially considering their need for an experienced captain. “If Rishabh Pant is not in their squad, then they have to look for a new captain. Delhi would certainly want him back,” he added.
Pant’s release marks a significant shift in the Delhi Capitals’ strategy, given his pivotal role in their journey over nearly a decade.
As the auction nears, speculation continues about Pant’s potential destination, with franchises likely to engage in a bidding war for the dynamic left-handed batter. Whether Delhi Capitals use their RTM card or not, one thing is certain: Pant will remain a central figure in IPL 2025, with teams like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru leading the race to sign him owing to their superior auction purse as compared to other franchises.
