Delhi Capitals will not retain Rishabh Pant: Here is why
Delhi Capitals will not retain Rishabh Pant: Here is why
Amarjeet Singh is a swashbuckling keeper-batter with a blistering display of power in the international arena. Just at the age of 25, he is ready to slide up from Delhi Capitals for the coming 2025 Indian Premier League season. The Capitals however have already announced their retention list before the mega auction, as they have Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel among those retained and may accommodate others, though it looks like Rishabh Pant has nothing to worry about with his first home team. Sources close to the franchise revealed that Pant’s aspiration to seek a leadership role and a desire to get involved in appointing the coaching staff led to a difference in opinion between him and DC management.
It also, in so many ways, signals the end of an era for Pant at the Delhi franchise that he had joined as an uncapped player back in 2016. Being made a captain in the year 2021 was something that he never expected due to the sudden occurrence of several unexpected events. It was quite a turbulent flight and not only have there been good moments, mistakes have also been made. Reports emanating suggest that the franchise felt Pant was not suitable for the T20 format going into the future and neither was his captaincy potential any good.
Why the Split?
Pant’s captaincy with DC started in 2021 when he was named the captain after a shoulder injury ruled out then-skipper Shreyas Iyer. Under his captaincy, DC showed quite a good streak when they won 23 out of 43 matches that Pant led. This, though, appears to have kept the franchise unconvinced about Pant’s long-term prospects as captain in the shortest format of the game, considering his mixed returns and also his rather stylistic approach to the T20 game.
What irked the Capitals was not only Pant’s captaincy but also his demands for a bigger say in the franchise’s decision-making structure, especially in hiring the coaching staff, according to a report carried in the Times of India. While his ambitions are riddled with a sense of responsibility and ambition, it would appear that DC was loathe to cede this level of control, if only for the strategic shifts they foresee in the 2025 season.
A source close to the franchise confirmed that it wasn’t a decision taken in a tearing hurry. “Rishabh Pant wanted captaincy and involvement in coach and support staff appointments, but plenty in the DC setup are not convinced about his T20 game. It wasn’t that they wanted to let him go but they were clear they didn’t see him leading the side,” the source told TOI.
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Shreyas Iyer on Delhi Capitals’ Radar
With DC having moved on from Pant, the leadership void created by his exit is what DC has been focusing on, more so in trying to find an outsider who can fill that slot, even as Axar Patel is an in-house option that the franchise will keenly look at in the mega auction. The probable candidate on the list is Shreyas Iyer, known well, who led DC between 2018 and 2020. Under him, the franchise saw good times during his captaincy- getting into the final of IPL 2020 for which he drew respect from fans and teammates alike.
Iyer, expected to be released by the KKR despite leading them to a title in 2024, has been tipped to be a priority buy for the DC as they plan for the new season. The experience Iyer will bring and his success at DC earlier make him a strong candidate for the captaincy. Axar Patel is there as an option, but there is a strong possibility of DC exploring options at the mega auction,” the source added. “Shreyas Iyer will be on their radar, as he understands the setup well. A very exciting set of players have been retained, and a solid squad can be built around these names.”
Pant’s Journey with Delhi Capitals:
A time travel for Pant in DC has been extraordinary, transforming from a blue-collar talent in 2016 to one of the most discussed teenage cricketers in the universe. The rise up the ranks was fairly swift, with a few memorable innings marked by fierce competitive spirit. In 2021, he was trusted enough to thrust captaincy upon him and make him one of the youngest skippers in the league. Through the ups and downs he led as captain, Pant continued to attract adherents to his aggressive style, fearless batting, and ability to deliver in big pressure moments.
With Pant getting into the auction pool, it needs to be seen for which franchise he is going to be bid. Moving out of Delhi is a big turn his career is going to take, and so is the case with DC too, who are ready to take up a new route for the coming seasons.
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What’s Next for Delhi Capitals?
Now that the franchise is looking toward the future, drama will be in plenty in the coming weeks as far as the new leadership structure of this squad is concerned. The obvious case would be that the 2025 IPL Mega Auction should provide enough opportunities for the captaincy, but Iyer is one player with whom DC has a plethora of successful history, and their eyes would be glued to him. This time around, Iyer’s return to DC will present him with a case of familiarity and also find a core preserved of experienced players for support as he makes his comeback into the league.
Retaining players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav speaks volumes of DC’s intent to put up a well-rounded squad while picking new talents like Abhishek Porel is promising a mix of experience and youth. With the exit of Pant and the probable return of Iyer, this could have been the season of transformation for DC to reclaim their title contenders in the IPL.
FAQs
Q: Why is Rishabh Pant leaving Delhi Capitals?
A: Scared about his T20 game and the method of leadership, Delhi Capitals reportedly decided not to retain Pant.
Q: Who will likely lead Delhi Capitals in the 2025 IPL?
A: While Axar Patel is a strong internal candidate, Delhi Capitals are expected to make a serious bid for the signing of Shreyas Iyer.
Q: What are Pant’s contributions towards the Delhi Capitals?
A: Pant joined as an uncapped player in 2016 and rose to a captaincy in 2021. He led the team to 23 wins out of 43 matches.
Q: What changes is Delhi Capitals planning for the next season?
A: DC thus, with the exit of Pant and an entirely new retention list, will be expected to make a new squad around retained players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, with the addition of an experienced leader, possibly in the form of Shreyas Iyer in the mega auction.