‘My retention wasn’t about the money’ - Rishabh Pant on cutting ties with Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant and Delhi Capitals (DC) parted ways ahead of the IPL 2024 mega-auction. The franchise was extremely interested in retaining the keeper-batter and held multiple meetings with him to discuss the same but nothing materialized. He ended up being released and is now available for INR 2 crore in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, slated to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah.

Meanwhile, while analysing Pant’s future, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar stated that the 27-year-old could go back to Delhi in the auction. He assessed that there might have been a difference in opinion regarding the retention fee for which, Pant decided not to sign a new contract. However, Gavaskar was confident that the franchise would end up winning the bid for Pant in the auction.

“The auction dynamics are completely different, so we don't know how it will go. But what I feel is that Delhi would certainly want Rishabh Pant back in their squad. Sometimes, you know, when the player is to be retained, there is a talk between the franchise and the player about the fees that are expected,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

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“As you can see, some of the players who have been retained by their franchise, they have gone for more than, say, what the number one retention fee deduction would be. So, clearly, I think maybe there was some disagreement over there. But my feeling is that Delhi definitely would want Rishabh Pant back because they need a captain as well,” he added.

My retention wasn’t about the money: Pant

Replying to the post shared on X, Rishabh Pant clarified that his decision to move away from Delhi wasn’t about the money. Even though he didn’t add anything more, it is reported that the cricketer wasn’t happy with the management. They recently got divided into two halves and is decided that they will rotate the responsibility every two years. 

Check out Rishabh Pant's latest post here:

My retention wasn’t about the money for sure that I can say 🤍

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) November 19, 2024

“My retention wasn’t about the money for sure that  I can say,” Pant replied to the post on his 'X' account to end speculations regarding his exit.