IPL Auction 2025: Delhi Capitals poised to retain Rishabh Pant as top choice

New Delhi: Rishabh Pant's incredible form in the Test series against Bangladesh has solidified his position as a key player for the Delhi Capitals. With his outstanding performance, Pant is set to be retained by the franchise, putting an end to any uncertainty surrounding his future with the team. The speculation arose after the 26-year-old scored a magnificent century in the ongoing Test match in Chennai. Additionally, any rumors of disagreements between Pant and the Capitals' management regarding his retention fee have been dispelled, ensuring his continued presence with the team. Pant's exceptional skills make him a valuable asset for both India and the Delhi Capitals.

Talking about the workings and regulations, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to announce the retention rules, but knowing the sources within the Delhi Capitals’ ownership group has revealed that Pant will be the franchise’s top retention choice. This decision was finalized following a recent meeting between Pant and co-owner Parth Jindal in Mumbai. Pant’s current IPL salary is INR 16 crore, but this figure is expected to go up based on the total player purse allowed to a franchise and the retention fee guidelines set by the BCCI.

Rishabh Pant has always been on the mark for Delhi Capitals as he captained the side last year after missing out on the 2023 season due to an accident. Since his return to competitive cricket, Pant has shown no signs of slowing down – has been as sharp as ever both in front and behind the wickets — displaying his typically creative batting style, which was on full display at the Chepauk during his stellar 109-run knock on Saturday. In the 2024 IPL, his comeback season, Pant amassed 446 runs in 13 games with an impressive strike rate of 155. He is also the all-time leading run-scorer for the franchise with 3284 runs.

Talking about other confirmations in the IPL 2025 after Rishabh Pant which can further be confirmed that, the management has likely finalized a few other retention calls as well. If the BCCI allows more than five players to be retained, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to be kept by the franchise, likely in that order, with Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs as the overseas retentions. Additionally, if there is a provision to retain uncapped players, the DC management is expected to go with 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Abhishek Porel.

In the name of decision-making and welfare of the franchise the two co-owners of Delhi Capitals, the GMR and JSW Groups, manage the franchise alternately for a rolling two-year period each, with the GMR Group currently on the wheel. While each co-owner has the autonomy to manage the team independently, including decisions on support and management staff, it is understood that retention and auction decisions are made jointly as part of a mutual agreement