Delhi Capitals are gearing up to retain skipper Rishabh Pant as their top choice for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been a key player of the Delhi franchise since his debut and with 3284 runs to his name, he is the all-time leading scorer for the franchise.
After a terrifying accident in December 2022, Pant missed the 2023 IPL season, but he returned with a bang in 2024. He amassed 446 runs at a strike rate of 155 in just 13 games during the previous edition season. In addition, his most recent century in a Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai demonstrates his importance to Indian cricket overall, not just to Delhi.
Delhi Capitals are gearing up to retain skipper Rishabh Pant as their top choice for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season
The retention decision was made after a significant meeting in Mumbai between Pant and Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal, according to a report. The meeting ended speculation that there was any disagreement between Pant’s management and the organisation over his retention price, while also securing Pant’s future with the squad.
DC intends to keep Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel
Although the formal retention regulations have not yet been announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sources inside the DC ownership group have indicated that the southpaw will be given priority. His present IPL salary of INR 16 crore is anticipated to rise significantly upon the board’s announcement of the purse details.
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In addition to their captain, the Capitals want to sign Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and international players Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs. Under the uncapped player retention category, the franchise is also interested in young wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel.