NEW DELHI: In the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, Delhi Capitals (DC) were unable to bring back their former captain Rishabh Pant, despite initially using the Right-To-Match (RTM) card to grab the left-handed wicketkeeper on Sunday.
Pant, who has been a star player for DC over the years, was one of the most anticipated picks for the auction.
Known for his audacious stroke play and ability to perform under pressure, Pant has been a show-stealer, with leadership material, and was a vital part of DC’s success in previous seasons.
The auction began with Pant’s base price set at Rs 2 crore, but the bidding quickly escalated as teams scrambled to secure his services.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered the bidding war and placed a series of aggressive bids, pushing the price higher.
As Pant’s value soared, DC, which had previously been deeply involved, still saw Pant as a potential key player. They exercised their Right to Match (RTM) card when LSG reached Rs 20.75 crore, matching their bid to keep Pant in their squad.
However, LSG raised the stakes once again, pushing their bid to Rs 27 crore.
DC, despite their desire to retain Pant, ultimately did not use the RTM to match this final bid. This left LSG with the final say, securing the wicketkeeper-batter for a hefty Rs 27 crore.
Pant, who earned Rs 16 crore in 2023 and 2022 with DC, had a remarkable rise since his first IPL season in 2016 when he was bought for Rs 1.90 crore.
Despite being one of the most valuable players in the IPL, DC’s decision not to match LSG’s final bid marks the end of Pant’s long association with the team.
It was a tough call for DC, as they had to balance their squad while dealing with Pant’s substantial price tag, ultimately losing out to LSG in this intense bidding battle.