'RCB need a keeper, a batter, and maybe a captain' - Aakash Chopra backs Rishabh Pant's potential arrival in Bengaluru

Thursday, October 31 will reveal the retained players list from every Indian Premier League franchise ahead of IPL 2025 mega auctions. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) restructuring the rules, a franchise can retain up to six players, including an uncapped player. Among many bold predictions regarding key players including the auctions fray, Rishabh Pant’s name has become a point of debate.

Pant has led Delhi Capitals in 43 games and was also the captain of the team in IPL 2024. The previous season was southpaw’s comeback to competitive cricket after recuperating from a life-threatening car accident. As the franchise has seen 13 captains (including Pant) in its CV, the rumours of Pant entering auction has led former India cricketer Aakash Chopra wish to see him don the coveted position in Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp while stating that most franchises might break the bank for flamboyant cricketer.

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"It's being heard that Rishabh Pant might be available at the auction. Although the jury is out, many people say his numbers in T20s are not that good, had only one breakthrough season in the IPL and hasn't scored too many runs apart from that, I can give you in writing that the bank would be broken if his name comes in the auction," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"RCB need a keeper, a batter, and maybe a captain. Punjab would need him as they won't have anyone. Delhi would need him back, the RTM card would be available. KKR also need him. What about CSK, they would also need him. If Ishan Kishan is left out, Mumbai would also need him,” he added.

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It is worth noting that, the wicketkeeper-batter has an outstanding season after coming from a two-year-long injury lay-off. He smashed 446 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 155.40. On the back of impressive outing, he straight away walked into the Indian team setup and played the T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and United States of America.