December 8, 2024: New Delhi – Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, made Indian Premier League (IPL) history by becoming the costliest player ever, securing a Rs 27 crore deal with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during the 2025 auction. However, new revelations from Delhi Capitals’ head coach Hemang Badani shed light on why the franchise didn’t retain their star player.
Pant, who joined Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2016, chose not to be retained by the team, instead opting to test the market during the auction. The decision paid off handsomely, as he broke records during a heated bidding war. Despite DC’s attempt to secure him for Rs 21 crore using the Right-to-Match (RTM) card, they were outbid by LSG.
In a recent interaction, coach Hemang Badani revealed the behind-the-scenes conversations leading to Pant’s departure. “He didn’t want to be retained. He wanted to go to the auction and test the market. There were a lot of discussions, phone calls, and messages exchanged. We were very interested in retaining him, but he felt his value was beyond the Rs 18 crore cap for retained players,” said Badani in a YouTube show hosted by Subramaniam Badrinath.
Pant’s gamble proved successful, as he secured Rs 27 crore at the auction, the highest in IPL history. “He is a very good player, and the market validated his belief in his worth. While we’ll obviously miss him, life goes on,” Badani added.
Interestingly, Pant had previously addressed speculation about his departure on social media, denying it was financially motivated. “My retention wasn’t about the money for sure, that I can say,” he posted on X.
Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the decision stemmed from philosophical differences rather than financial disagreements. “It was about how he wanted the franchise to operate versus how we, as owners, envisioned it. That’s what led to his departure, not money,” Jindal told ESPNCricinfo.
Pant’s move to Lucknow Super Giants marks a new chapter in his career, while Delhi Capitals face the challenge of filling the void left by one of their most impactful players.
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