Cricket

Rishabh Pant's departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction has shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to his release. Pant's nine-year association with the franchise ended abruptly, with Axar Patel being retained as the first choice.According to a report by PTI, Pant's dissatisfaction stemmed from the decisions made by co-owners GMR Group, who will manage the franchise for the next two years. The appointment of Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket reportedly left Pant unhappy.Furthermore, Pant was reportedly displeased with the GMR Group's decision to curb his powers. Earlier reports suggested that DC was considering stripping Pant of the captaincy and handing it to Axar Patel.Pant's release is a significant development, given his status as one of the most sought-after players in the IPL. He has been a key member of the Indian team, winning the T20 World Cup 2024 as India's first-choice wicket-keeper batter.The changes at DC reflect the franchise's desire for a fresh start. Ricky Ponting, who had been the head coach for seven years, was replaced by Badani. Sourav Ganguly, the former Director of Cricket, was also replaced by Rao.Pant's departure is a reminder of the ever-changing nature of the IPL. Franchises are constantly looking to optimize their rosters, and even established players can find themselves on the move. Pant's release is a testament to the competitive nature of the league and the importance of player satisfaction.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction promises to be a record-breaking event, with a plethora of star players up for grabs. Among the most sought-after names are Rishabh Pant, K L Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami.Pant, in particular, is expected to be the cynosure of all eyes. The Delhi Capitals' former captain is available for auction after a fallout with the franchise's co-owners, GMR. Pant's unhappiness stemmed from his perceived lack of authority and the appointment of Hemang Badani as head coach and Y Venugopal Rao as Team Director.Iyer, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders' former captain, is also in the auction pool. He felt that his Rs 12.25 crore salary was inadequate for an IPL-winning captain. Rahul, on the other hand, parted ways with Lucknow Super Giants due to differences in approach towards T20 cricket.The auction will be intriguing due to the Rs 75 crore retention cap on international players and the Right To Match cards. Teams that have exhausted their retention quotas will need to recruit at least 15 more players for a lesser sum.Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with their substantial purse amounts, are expected to make significant bids. Pant is likely to emerge as the highest-paid player in the IPL if Punjab Kings, known for their extravagant spending, decide to acquire him."Rishabh's real bidding will start from Rs 20 crore onwards," said a top franchise official. "There will be three teams who can afford to bid big for him: Punjab Kings, RCB, and LSG."Industry insiders predict that Pant could fetch between Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore.

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has hinted at a potential move for wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Raina revealed that Pant met with CSK legend MS Dhoni in Delhi, sparking speculation about a possible transfer.The Indian Premier League (IPL) player retention lists were announced on Wednesday, with Dhoni retained by CSK as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore. Pant, on the other hand, was released by the Delhi Capitals (DC) after eight seasons with the franchise.Speaking to JioCinema, Raina said, "I met MS Dhoni in Delhi, Pant was also there. I think something big is to happen. Someone will be wearing a yellow jersey soon."This statement comes amidst reports that Pant is set to join CSK. The move would not be surprising, as Dhoni is nearing the end of his career and Pant could become the franchise's next star wicketkeeper-batter or even captain.In 111 matches for DC, Pant scored 3,284 runs at an average of 148.93, with a century and 17 fifties. He is the franchise's leading run-getter. Under his captaincy, DC reached the playoffs in 2021 but failed to progress beyond the league stages in 2022 and 2023.In the last season, Pant scored 446 runs in 13 matches for DC, averaging over 40 and striking at over 155. He scored three half-centuries and had a best score of 88*. While he was the franchise's top run-getter, DC missed out on the playoffs, finishing sixth with seven wins and seven losses.DC have retained all-rounder Axar Patel, spinner Kuldeep Yadav, batters Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel ahead of this year's mega auction.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) retention deadline of October 31st has passed, revealing a list of prominent players who will enter the auction pool for the 2025 season. These notable absentees include:Rishabh Pant: The star Indian wicketkeeper-batsman has been released by the Delhi Capitals, ending his eight-year stint with the franchise. Pant's absence is a significant surprise, given his status as one of the most dynamic players in the league.KL Rahul: The former Lucknow Super Giants skipper has parted ways with the franchise after three seasons. Rahul led LSG to two playoff appearances and is expected to be a highly sought-after player in the auction.Mitchell Starc: The veteran Australian pacer was not retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders despite his impressive performance in the 2024 season. Starc's release is a testament to the competitive nature of the IPL auction.Arshdeep Singh: The left-arm pacer has been released by the Punjab Kings after a consistent run in India's T20I team. Arshdeep's 19 wickets in the 2024 IPL season highlight his value as a reliable bowler.Shreyas Iyer: The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain has been released after leading the team to the IPL title in 2024. Iyer's omission is a setback for the player, who was also left out of the BCCI's contracted players list earlier this year.Ishan Kishan: The big-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman has been released by the Mumbai Indians due to the franchise's retention of five capped players. Kishan's absence is a blow to MI, who have relied heavily on his explosive batting in recent seasons.Jos Buttler: The England white-ball captain has been released by the Rajasthan Royals despite his impressive run as an opener. Buttler's 359 runs in 11 matches in 2024 were not enough to convince the Royals to retain him.Glenn Maxwell: The Australian batting all-rounder has been released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru after a disappointing 2024 season. Maxwell's failure to live up to expectations has led to his omission from the franchise's retained players list.Mohammed Siraj: The Indian pacer has been released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru after taking 15 wickets in 14 matches in 2024. Siraj's release is a sign of the competitive nature of the IPL auction.Mitchell Marsh: The Australian T20I captain has been released by the Delhi Capitals after playing just four matches in the 2024 season. Marsh's injury-plagued campaign has contributed to his omission from the franchise's retained players list.These high-profile releases have set the stage for an exciting IPL auction, where teams will compete fiercely to acquire the services of these talented players.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Indian Superstars Hit the Market, MI Retains CoreAs the IPL gears up for its mega auction on November 24-25, three Indian superstars have become available for bidding after not being retained by their previous franchises. Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul will join the auction pool, adding intrigue to the proceedings.Pant, who spent nine years with the Delhi Capitals, and Iyer, the title-winning captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, are both highly sought-after leaders. Multiple teams, including DC, Punjab Kings, RCB, and LSG, are reportedly interested in Iyer's services.Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have retained their core Indian players, including captain Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma. Pandya will continue to lead the team despite their disappointing performance in 2024.The Delhi Capitals have retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and South African batter Tristan Stubbs. If they fail to acquire Iyer in the auction, Axar may be considered for the captaincy role.The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have retained Nicholas Pooran as their top pick, while the Chennai Super Kings have retained MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shivam Dube.The Sunrisers Hyderabad have broken the bank to retain Heinrich Klaasen for a whopping Rs 23 crore. They have also retained captain Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Reddy.The Rajasthan Royals have opted not to retain Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin. They have instead retained Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer.The Gujarat Titans have retained Rashid Khan as their premium player, while Shubman Gill has taken a pay cut to stay with the team.The Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained Virat Kohli for Rs 21 crore but have released Faf du Plessis and Mohammed Siraj.The Punjab Kings have let go of Arshdeep Singh and will enter the auction with a substantial purse of Rs 110.5 crore.

Cricket Fraternity Extends Diwali Wishes, Emphasizing Light, Joy, and ProsperityAs the festival of Diwali illuminates homes and hearts across India and the world, the cricket fraternity has joined in the celebrations, extending heartfelt wishes for happiness, peace, and prosperity.Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant took to social media to express his joy, writing, "Wishing everyone a Diwali full of light, happiness, and joy. May this festival bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to you and your family."India pacer Mohammed Shami echoed Pant's sentiments, saying, "May the divine light of Diwali bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to your life. Shine on and have a joyous Diwali."KL Rahul, another prominent Indian batter, sent his fans a message of warmth and blessings, writing, "Wishing you warmth, light, and endless blessings. Happy Diwali."Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag expressed his hope for joy and happiness, saying, "Wish u a sparkling and a cracker of a Deepawali. May this Deepawali bring lots of joy and happiness in your life."Irfan Pathan, another former India cricketer, emphasized the triumph of light over darkness, writing, "Wishing everyone a Diwali filled with light, love, and endless blessings. May this festival of lights bring joy to your heart, peace to your home, and success to your path. Let's celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and spread happiness far and wide."The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also extended its greetings, writing, "Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali."Diwali, the Festival of Lights, holds immense significance in India and beyond. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Celebrations typically include prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, sharing sweets and snacks, exchanging gifts, and lighting fireworks.The cricket fraternity's Diwali wishes reflect the spirit of the festival, emphasizing the importance of light, joy, and prosperity. As the world celebrates Diwali, the cricketers' messages serve as a reminder of the values that unite us all.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are planning for the future without their iconic wicket-keeper batter MS Dhoni. The five-time IPL champions have identified India star Rishabh Pant as their top target in the IPL 2025 auction.Dhoni is expected to be retained by CSK as an 'uncapped player' under the new rule. However, the franchise is looking at a long-term plan. According to the Indian Express, Pant has emerged as the top pick for CSK. The franchise is keen on acquiring Pant if he enters the auction pool.CSK has decided to retain skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, and Dhoni. The decision on all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will depend on Pant's situation at Delhi Capitals.If Pant enters the auction, CSK believes he will command a price around Rs 20 crore. This may result in the franchise not retaining Jadeja. However, CSK may use the Right To Match (RTM) option for Jadeja in that case.Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans (GT) is likely to retain skipper Shubman Gill, star spinner Rashid Khan, young opener Sai Sudharsan, and explosive hitters Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.These retentions will leave GT with one RTM card option at the upcoming auction. With the amount given to each player still unknown, GT will have around Rs 51 crores deducted from their overall purse of Rs 120 crores for retaining three international players and two uncapped players.All franchises must submit their list of retained players by October 31. Each team can retain six players, with a maximum of five capped and two uncapped. This can be done via retention or the RTM option.

Rishabh Pant, India's premier wicketkeeper-batter, is poised to enter the IPL 2025 auction, potentially sparking a bidding war among multiple franchises. According to reports, Pant will not be retained by his current team, Delhi Capitals, ahead of the October 31 deadline.Pant's departure from DC stems from concerns over his leadership abilities in the T20 format. Despite his consistent performances for India and a successful return to the IPL after a serious accident, the DC management reportedly believes he lacks the necessary qualities to lead the team."Pant wanted captaincy and involvement in appointing coaches and support staff, but many in the DC setup are not convinced about his T20 game," a source told the Times of India. "They didn't want to let him go, but they didn't see him leading the side."With Pant's exit, DC is likely to explore captaincy options in the mega auction. Shreyas Iyer, who previously led the team to success, is a potential target. Axar Patel is another option, but the franchise may prefer to seek external candidates.Former India player Aakash Chopra predicts a fierce bidding war for Pant's services. "If Pant enters the auction, he will break the bank," Chopra said. "RCB, Punjab, Delhi, KKR, CSK, Mumbai, and Gujarat all need a keeper-batter, and Pant fits the bill perfectly."Pant's availability in the auction could significantly impact the dynamics of the IPL. His all-round abilities and star power make him a highly sought-after player. The bidding war for his services is expected to reach unprecedented heights, with multiple franchises vying for his signature.

Rishabh Pant's tenure with the Delhi Capitals (DC) has come to an end, as the franchise has opted not to retain him ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This decision marks a significant shift for both Pant and DC, who have been closely associated since 2016.Sources close to the development have revealed that Pant's desire for captaincy and involvement in team management played a role in the franchise's decision. While DC was open to retaining Pant, they were not convinced about his leadership abilities in the T20 format."Rishabh Pant wanted captaincy and wanted to be involved with regards to the appointment of coaches and support staff, but plenty in the DC set-up are not convinced about his T20 game," said a source.With Pant's departure, DC faces the challenge of finding a new captain. Axar Patel, who has been retained by the franchise, is a potential candidate. However, sources suggest that DC may explore options at the mega-auction, with Shreyas Iyer being a strong possibility."Axar Patel is there as an option, but there is a strong possibility of DC exploring options at the mega auction. Shreyas Iyer will definitely be on their radar as he enjoyed a lot of success in the DC set-up and understands the set-up well," added the source.DC has retained four players for the upcoming season: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristian Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel. They have also kept the option of Right To Match (RTM) card open for the mega auction.Pant's departure from DC marks the end of an era for the franchise. He joined the team as a young player in 2016 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming their captain in 2021. His aggressive batting and fearless leadership style made him a fan favorite.However, Pant's recent form in the T20 format has been inconsistent, and his captaincy has come under scrutiny. DC's decision to part ways with him is a reflection of their desire to rebuild and find a new leader who can guide them to success in the years to come.