IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson to lose captaincy? Ex-pacer makes huge retention predictions

Former India fast bowler RP Singh has made a bold prediction about the future of Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson as an IPL captain. Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are currently the captains of Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals respectively.

But the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction can change a lot of things for these teams. The teams will be allowed to retain a maximum of six players out of which one will be the uncapped one. Besides the retention rules, the teams will be allowed to use the RTM as well.

There has been no confirmation about the plans of Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals retaining their captains so far but RP Singh expects the franchises to retain their respective captains.

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RP Singh speaks on Rishabh Pant's captaincy future in IPL

While speaking to Jio Cinema, RP Singh predicted the retention picks of Delhi Capitals. While he expected Rishabh Pant to be retained as the captain, he also expected Jake Fraser-McGurk to remain with the team because of his immense potential.

“Jake Fraser-McGurk will definitely stay due to his unique play style and the impact he’s had on this franchise. Rishabh Pant is going to be retained as the captain," RP Singh said.

Rishabh Pant has been Delhi Capitals' captain since 2022 and is a key player for the team. He made a terrific comeback in the IPL last year after missing the 2023 season because of a life-threatening accident.

Meanwhile, Jake Fraser-McGurk took the IPL by storm in his first stint in the tournament last year. He scored 330 runs in 9 matches at an average of 36.66 and a blistering strike rate of 234.04.

Singh also expects the spin-bowling duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav to be retained. According to him, the other players can be retained through the RTM rule.

"The two spinners, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, will stay. For the others, you can use the RTM because many franchises will release players with the hopes of using the RTM,” the former India quick added.

Both Axar and Kuldeep have won numerous games for Delhi and form one of the best spin-bowling duos of the tournament. Axar is also the vice-captain of the team.

RP Singh speaks on Sanju Samson's captaincy future

Coming to Rajasthan Royals, RP Singh expects Sanju Samson to be retained as the captain for the next season. He also expects Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Jos Buttler, and Yuzvendra Chahal to be retained. He wants RR to retain Sandeep Sharma as an uncapped player.

“Sanju Samson will be retained as captain, Yashasvi Jaiswal will be No. 2, Riyan Parag will stay at No. 3, Jos Buttler at No. 4, and the fifth would be Yuzvendra Chahal or Trent Boult," RP Singh reckoned.

“(Trent) Boult is a great option, but I would lean towards Chahal. The RTM is an option, but I think retaining Sandeep Sharma as an uncapped player will make it easier for them as he has performed well for them as a bowler,” he added.

Rajasthan Royals has a job to do in terms of retention. They have a no. of options to think for their retention picks. However, if they use all their retentions, they won't have much balance left to buy the other players at the auction.

Thus, it will be interesting to see how RR go about their retention picks. The deadline for the franchises to finalize their retentions is October 31, 2024.