Delhi Capitals (DC) parted ways with their star player and former captain Rishabh Pant ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Pant, who had been a cornerstone of the franchise since 2016 and led the team in three of the last four seasons, was noticeably absent from the franchise’s retention list. The decision had ignited widespread debate, with fans questioning the rationale behind letting go of such a key player.
Addressing the rumours surrounding the split, DC co-owner Parth Jindal broke his silence in an interview with RevSportz, providing insights into the decision.
“We had a lot of discussions with Rishabh. There were things expected from Rishabh that we didn’t get last season or the previous seasons, and we gave him honest feedback on that,” Jindal revealed.
The co-owner emphasized that the decision to release Pant was not unilateral but a collective call by the franchise’s ownership groups, the GMR Group and JSW Sports.
Highlighting their unity, Jindal remarked, “Kiran [Kumar Grandhi] and I, GMR and JSW, both are One Family. We are very united. We took a decision collectively. We gave him feedback, but the feedback wasn’t taken in the way we expected it to be taken. And yeah, he (Rishabh Pant) ended up taking an emotional call.”
While the exact details of the feedback and discussions remain undisclosed, Jindal hinted that the franchise’s concerns were centered around unmet performance expectations. Despite prolonged discussions, the response from Pant reportedly did not align with the franchise’s hopes, culminating in his departure. “Ultimately, it was Rishabh who decided that he doesn’t want to stay,” Jindal added.
The IPL 2025 auction saw Pant becoming the most expensive player in the league’s history, with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) securing his services for a staggering ₹27 crore (approximately $3.2 million). DC attempted to retain Pant through the Right to Match (RTM) card but ultimately refrained from exceeding their budget after LSG’s record-breaking bid.
Pant’s exit has paved the way for a new era at DC, with KL Rahul reportedly set to lead the team after being acquired for ₹14 crore. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the Capitals adapt to these significant changes and whether they can maintain their competitive edge without their iconic wicketkeeper-batter.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, Pant’s journey with LSG and DC’s revamped lineup are among the key storylines to watch, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
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