Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Suresh Raina has made an explosive prediction about a current India star getting a big payday in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) auction.

Former Delhi Capitals captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is expected to be a hot commodity in the mega auction in Jeddah and Suresh Raina feels his entry in the auction will spark a bidding war, helping Pant win a lucrative contract.

Speaking to TOI, Raina said, “He is a captain (DC), a gun player and a goalkeeper. If you look at his brand value, it is good for endorsement… So he should also get (the money) – Rs 25, Rs 30 crore, whatever he deserves,” the former cricketer added.

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Suresh Raina predicts Rishabh Pant will surpass Mitchell Starc’s amount

During last year’s mini-auction, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc set a new record as the most expensive player, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured him for INR 24.75 crore. This surpassed the previous record of his teammate and Australian captain, Pat Cummins, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore. Raina anticipates that Pant will attract a higher bid due to his all-round usefulness.

Apart from his ability with the gloves, Pant will be one of the few Indian players in the auction who has the experience of leading a team, a role that several franchises are expected to pursue. Teams like Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are some of the teams who will definitely have their eyes on the 27-year-old.

With several teams eager to sign an Indian captain, the outcome will largely depend on the dynamics of the auction, and teams will have to carefully manage their remaining budgets.

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