Delhi Capitals will reportedly sign Rishabh Pant ahead of the much-awaited mega auction ahead of next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).
Recent reports indicated that the wicketkeeper-batsman is likely to leave the franchise after Ricky Ponting’s exit. Earlier this month, Delhi Capitals confirmed that they have parted ways with the former Australia captain. The legendary batsman was the head coach of Delhi Capitals since 2018.
It was during Ponting’s tenure that Rishabh Pant was appointed as the captain of the team. He replaced Shreyas Iyer as the captain of Delhi Capitals in 2021. Although Iyer was the captain when Delhi Capitals qualified for the finals in 2020, he was released by the franchise and was replaced by the wicket-keeper. Reports had indicated that Rishabh Pant might follow Ponting out of Delhi Capitals and might join Chennai Super Kings.
Rishabh Pant to stay with Delhi Capitals:
However, Rishabh Pant is unlikely to leave Delhi Capitals. According to PTI’s Kushan Sarkar, the Indian star is “not going anywhere” and will continue to play for the team based in the national capital. Sarkar also stated that Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are likely to be retained by Delhi Capitals. Among the foreign players, Tristan Stubbs and Jake Fraser McGurk are also likely to be sold.
“Rishabh Pant is not going anywhere. He will be part of @DelhiCapitals. Pant and Axar will probably stay along with Tristan Stubbs or Fraser McGurk. The third Indian to stay is likely to be K. Yadav,” Sarkar wrote.
Some #IPLUpdate:Rishabh Pant is not going anywhere. He will be part of @DelhiCapitalsPant and Axar are certain to stay with the team along with Tristan Stubbs or Fraser McGurk. The third Indian player to stay is likely to be K. Yadav. #CricketTwitter
—Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) July 20, 2024
Talking about Rishabh Pant’s journey in the IPL, he has been playing for Delhi Capitals since their first season in the IPL back in 2016. When he returned to action in the IPL this year after spending over a year on the sidelines, the franchise gave him back the captaincy immediately.
The left-handed batsman could not take the team to the top of the league but did well with the bat. He finished IPL 2024 as the leading run-scorer for Delhi Capitals, scoring 446 runs with the help of 3 half-centuries. Overall, Pant has played 111 games so far and has scored 3284 runs with the help of one century and 18 half-centuries.
