November 26, 2024: Rishabh Pant’s departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) to join Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) has been marked with a deeply emotional farewell, highlighting both his journey with the franchise and his excitement for the future. After being purchased for a record-breaking ₹27 crores at the IPL 2025 mega-auction, Pant reflected on his time with DC and expressed his gratitude towards the franchise and its fans.
Pant’s farewell message, shared on his social media, echoed the bittersweet emotions that come with such a significant transition. He began by acknowledging how difficult goodbyes can be, emphasizing that his journey with DC had been unforgettable.
“Goodbyes are never easy. The journey with Delhi Capitals has been nothing short of amazing. From the thrills on the field to the moments off it, I’ve grown in ways I never imagined. I came here as a teenager and grew together over the last nine years,” Pant wrote.
What stood out in Pant’s message was his deep appreciation for the fans who supported him through thick and thin. He credited the DC fans with making his journey truly special, acknowledging their unwavering support during some of the toughest phases of his career.
“What made this journey all worthwhile is you, The fans… You’ve embraced me, cheered for me and stood by me in one of the toughest phases of my life,” Pant added.
While bidding farewell, Pant made it clear that he would carry the love and support of DC’s fanbase in his heart as he moves on to a new chapter with LSG. He expressed his eagerness to continue entertaining cricket fans, wherever he plays.
“As I move on, I carry your love and support in my heart. I’ll look forward to entertaining you whenever I take the field. Thank you for being my family and making this journey so special,” Pant concluded his message.
Pant’s move to Lucknow Super Giants has made him the most expensive player in IPL history, surpassing even Shreyas Iyer’s recent ₹26.75 crore bid from Punjab Kings. The bidding war for Pant was intense, with multiple franchises, including Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and his former team Delhi Capitals (DC), vying for his signature.
Despite DC using their Right to Match (RTM) card to retain Pant, LSG outbid them, ultimately securing the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman for ₹27 crores. This price tag also made Pant the second-highest-paid player at this auction, trailing only behind Iyer’s earlier bid.
Pant’s dynamic presence both as a batter and a leader was pivotal for DC, and while his time with the franchise has now come to an end, his legacy will surely be remembered fondly by the team’s fans.
With this record-breaking move to Lucknow Super Giants, Pant enters a new chapter of his IPL career. LSG, who have been aggressively building a powerful squad, will hope that Pant’s explosive batting and leadership can help elevate their title ambitions in the coming seasons.
For now, Pant’s focus will be on giving his best for his new franchise while cherishing the memories and bonds formed at DC, where he made his mark in the IPL as one of the league’s brightest stars. Fans of both DC and Pant will be eagerly watching how he fares with his new team and what lies ahead for this young, dynamic cricketer.