IPL Auction 2025: Rishabh Pant's Delhi Capitals comeback sabotaged by 'ego issues,' claims Ex-India cricketer

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels Rishabh Pant won't be going back to Delhi Capitals in the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Pant was recently not included in the Delhi Capitals retention list.

While the franchise has the option of buying him back through the Right to Match (RTM) card, they are unlikely to go after Pant as he is likely to fetch a very high price. During the video, Chopra also claimed that only Punjab Kings or Royal Challengers Bengaluru can sign Pant.

Both Punjab Kings and RCB have the highest amount remaining in their purse and thus, stand a great chance to sign up Rishabh Pant. Pant is likely to fetch a high bidding price because of his stature as an IPL and an international player.

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Will Rishabh Pant return to Delhi Capitals? Aakash Chopra responds

During a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about the retentions of Delhi Capitals. He named Jake Fraser-McGurk as one of their retentions through RTM but had doubts over Pant returning back to Delhi Capitals.

"They have 'Right To Match' cards left for two capped players. They might use the 'Right To Match' card for Jake Fraser-McGurk and get him as well. I don't think they will go towards Rishabh Pant over a particular budget. They might show interest but will say they are not interested after a particular budget," Chopra said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also noted that there might be an ego issue with Delhi Capitals over Rishabh Pant and the franchise might not opt to go for him at all. According to him, Pant's last bid is likely to be very high which makes it highly unlikely for him to return to his previous franchise.

"They might not lift the paddle at all if it's an ego issue, that they don't need him at all. Everything can happen. I don't see Rishabh Pant returning there. Either they will not go at all after Rishabh Pant and even if they go, they won't be able to get him because the last bid while using the RTM card will be beyond the Delhi Capitals' means. They will have money but they won't spend," he added.

According to the reports, Delhi Capitals were interested in retaining Pant but not as a captain. Both Pant and the Delhi Capitals were in the talks till the last moment but in the end, the wicketkeeper-batter decided to part ways with the franchise.

Rishabh Pant has been the captain of Delhi Capitals since IPL 2021. Apart from IPL 2023 (when he could not play because of the horrific car accident), he has led the team in every season till the last season.

Aakash Chopra reveals which team can buy Rishabh Pant

Further adding in the video, Aakash Chopra named Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings as the two franchises that have the budget to acquire Rishabh Pant's services. Since Pant is likely to go for a big amount, not many franchises will be able to bid for him.

"Where do I see a fight for Rishabh Pant? You need to have more than 70 crores if you have to buy Rishabh Pant because he will only take 25 to 30 crores. If he takes 25 to 30 crores, how will you make the rest of the team? So the 110-crore ones (Punjab Kings) and RCB, one of them will take him," he opined.

Budgets remaining for Punjab Kings and RCB

Punjab Kings have the highest budget left for the IPL 2025 auction and will be looking to prepare a solid team ahead of the upcoming season. The team retained just two uncapped players - Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has the second-highest budget remaining in the purse. RCB franchise has a total of INR 83 crore remaining. They retained three players in total, Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar as the capped players while Yash Dayal as the uncapped player.