The Delhi Capitals have decided to stick with Rishabh Pant, ending rumors about his future with the franchise. This happened the day the 26-year-old batsman and wicketkeeper against Bangladesh in Chennai’s ongoing Test match produced a magnificent century. It also dispels reports that there were disagreements between Pant and the Capitals’ management over his retention price, which had raised doubts about whether he would stay with the team.
Following an injury that kept him out of the 2023 season, Pant captained the team the previous year. Pant has been as effective as ever both in front of and behind the wickets since he returned to competitive cricket. His trademark inventive batting approach was on full display at the Chepauk on Saturday when he scored an incredible 109 runs. Pant made a stunning comeback in the 2024 Indian Premier League, amassing 446 runs in 13 games with a strike rate of 155. With 3284 runs, he also holds the franchise record for most runs scored in the IPL.
Although the retention guidelines have not yet been released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sources close to the Delhi Capitals’ ownership group have disclosed that Pant will be the team’s top retention option. After a recent discussion in Mumbai between Pant and co-owner Parth Jindal, this decision was made. Pant now receives INR 16 crore from the IPL franchise, although this amount is anticipated to increase depending on the total player purse that a franchise is permitted to have and the BCCI’s retention fee standards.
It can also be validated that management has probably concluded a few more retention calls. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are anticipated to be retained by the team, probably in that order, if the BCCI permits more than five players to be retained. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs are the overseas retentions. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the DC management will select 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Abhishek Porel should there be a clause allowing uncapped players to be retained.
The GMR Group presently oversees the Delhi Capitals, while the JSW Group and other co-owners, the GMR Group, take turns managing the team for a rolling two-year term. While each co-owner is free to run the team as they see fit, including choosing the support and management team, it is agreed that choices on retention and auctions are decided together as part of a shared agreement.
The decisions on the Retention rules are likely to be announced by the BCCI within this month. It was initially expected at the start of the month, however, the same was delayed and can come out any time soon.
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