'He was with MS Dhoni in Delhi' - Suresh Raina on reports of Rishabh Pant joining CSK

There were quite some prominent cases of players not being retained by their respective franchises as each side updated their finalized retentions on October 31, 2024. Rishabh Pant was one of them. Deliberations were already brewing with there being multiple reports suggesting a misalignment in Pant and the management's thought processes regarding the future of the franchise.

As per the current developments, there are a couple of franchises which could be interesting in adding Pant to their roster. The first is the Punjab Kings, who went ahead with retaining only two of their uncapped players, resulting in them with a remaining purse of INR 110.5 crore. Apart from this, Ricky Ponting joining them as their new head coach could play a crucial part considering Pant and Ponting's well-cultivated bond while at the Capitals.

The Chennai Super Kings will be another franchise keen on integrating Pant into their system. With age not being in the side of MS Dhoni, the think thank would be seriously contemplating Pant as their full-time wicketkeeper.

Former India and CSK luminary, Suresh Raina, dropped a major hint as to CSK being the frontrunners to bag Pant. 

“When I met MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant was also present. I feel something big is about to happen, someone will definitely wear the yellow," revealed Raina on JioCinema on Thursday.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Andy Flower opens up on rationale behind 'key member' Rajat Patidar's retention

Pant's eight-year association with DC comes to sorrowful end

Ever since starting off his career in the Indian Premier League, Pant has remained a key component of the Capitals. Right from the 2016 edition, he has been a vital component in the middle-order for DC, particularly due to his dynamic and aggressive manner of dealing with oppositions.

Also Read: 'Kohli must be inspired by Rohit's T20 WC campaign' - Mohammad Kaif has his say on RCB captaincy episode

In 2021, Pant became the skipper of the franchise. A horrific car accident in December 2022 ruled him out of the 2023 season. IPL 2024 was Pant's final campaign with the Capitals, registering 446 runs in 13 innings at an impressive strike rate of 155.40.