Not about money: Rishabh Pant breaks silence on leaving Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant broke his silence on parting ways with IPL franchise Delhi Capitals (DC), ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction, stating that the reason was not money. The swashbuckling keeper-batter, currently part of India's Test squad who is gearing up for the Australia series starting on Nov 22 (Friday) in Perth, responded to a post by one of the IPL broadcasters, where former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar reasoned out why Delhi chose to move on from Pant before the mega auction. Gavaskar felt the money was the main reason, however, Pant rubbished all such claims. 

Responding to Gavaskar's claims, Pant wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "My retention wasn’t about the money for sure that I can say." Here is the post:

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Gavaskar had told Star Sports, "What I feel is Delhi Capitals would want Rishabh Pant back in their squad. Sometimes, when a player has to be retained, there are talks between the franchise and players over the fees, as expected. As some of the players who have been retained by their franchises, they have gone for more than what the No. 1 retention fee deduction would be. So clearly, I think there may be some disagreement there. But, my feeling is Delhi would want Rishabh Pant back."

Ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction, slated to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Nov 24 and 25, DC announced their retention list, comprising Axar Patel (INR 165 million or 16.5 crore), Kuldeep Yadav (INR 135 million or 13.5 crore), Tristan Stubbs (INR 100 million or 10 crore) and Abhishek Porel (INR 40 million or 4 crore). Pant, who led DC in IPL 2021, IPL 2022 and IPL 2024, is set to enter the auction proceedings. He is expected to be sold at a whopping price. DC can use the Right To Match (RTM) card to bring back Pant, however, it seems the keeper-batter will find a new franchise for the next IPL edition.