Rishabh Pant's Departure from Delhi Capitals: Unpacking the Reasons Behind His Decision
Moreover, there were discussions about stripping Pant of his captaincy, potentially handing the reins over to Axar Patel. Such considerations likely contributed to Pant's growing discontent with the franchise's direction, prompting him to seek new opportunities ahead of the auction.
Rishabh Pant’s exit from Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction has sparked much discussion, particularly regarding the dissatisfaction that led to his release. After a nine-year stint with the franchise, Pant’s time came to an end as he was not retained, with Axar Patel being prioritized as the first retention.
Reports indicate that Pant’s unhappiness stemmed primarily from several decisions made by the GMR Group, co-owners of the franchise. Key among these was the alteration in the coaching staff, which saw the appointment of Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket. These changes did not sit well with Pant, who reportedly felt sidelined and frustrated by a perceived reduction in his influence within the team.
Moreover, there were discussions about stripping Pant of his captaincy, potentially handing the reins over to Axar Patel. Such considerations likely contributed to Pant's growing discontent with the franchise's direction, prompting him to seek new opportunities ahead of the auction.
Having joined Delhi Capitals in 2016, Pant had been a significant figure for the team, retained through two previous mega auctions. His leadership had previously seen DC reach the finals in 2020. However, the franchise's ownership structure, with a 50-50 split between the JSW Group and GMR Group, means that operational control alternates between the two entities every two years. The upcoming 2025 and 2026 seasons will be governed by the GMR Group, who have made notable changes, including parting ways with long-serving figures like head coach Ricky Ponting and director Sourav Ganguly.
As Pant now looks to enter the auction, he is expected to be one of the most coveted players, particularly after his role as India's first-choice wicketkeeper during their T20 World Cup victory in 2024. His experience and talent will likely draw significant interest from multiple franchises eager to strengthen their squads.
