Blow for MS Dhoni! Rishabh Pant turns down CSK, set to be retained by Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant is reportedly set to be retained by Delhi Capitals ahead of the much-awaited mega auction before next year's Indian Premier League (IPL).

Recent reports stated 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 skipper. The legendary batsman was the head coach of Delhi Capitals since 2018.

It was during Ponting's tenure that Rishabh Pant was made the captain of the team. He replaced Shreyas Iyer as the captain of Delhi Capitals in 2021. Even though Iyer was the captain when Delhi Capitals qualified for the final in 2020, he was released by the franchise and was replaced by the wicketkeeper. The reports stated that Rishabh Pant could follow Ponting out of Delhi Capitals and could 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 India star 'isn't going anywhere' and will continue to ply his trade for the national capital-based outfit. Sarkar also stated that Axar Patel as well as Kuldeep Yadav are likely to be retained by Delhi Capitals. Among overseas players, one between Tristan Stubbs and Jake Fraser McGurk is likely to be retailed as well.

"Rishabh Pant isn't going anywhere. He will be a part of @DelhiCapitals. Pant, Axar are certain to be retained along with either Tristan Stubbs or Fraser McGurk. The third Indian retention is likely to be K. Yadav," wrote Sarkar.

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Talking about Rishabh Pant's journey in the IPL, he has been playing for Delhi Capitals from his very first IPL season since 2016. When he returned to action in the IPL this year after spending more than a year on the sidelines, the franchise gave him back the captaincy straightaway.

The left-handed batsman could not take the team ahead of the league stage but did well with the bat. He finished IPL 2024 as Delhi Capitals' highest run-scorer, 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 a century and 18 half-centuries.