Rishabh Pant has surprisingly not been retained by Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction later this month, and former India batsman Suresh Raina believes the star wicketkeeper-batsman could be seen in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) colours in IPL 2025.
“I met MS Dhoni in Delhi, Pant was also there. I think something big is to happen. Someone will be wearing a yellow jersey soon,” Raina said talking on a JioCinema.
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Pant has been released by DC, ending their eight-year association. DC opted to retain three capped players in the form of Axar Patel (Rs 16.5 crore), Kuldeep Yadav (Rs 13.25 crore) and Tristan Stubbs (Rs 10 crore). They also retained one uncapped player — Abishek Porel (Rs 4 crore).
There have been several reports suggesting that Pant will move to CSK. It makes sense for the Chennai franchise to get Pant in the camp as a wicketkeeper-batsman, with the 43-year-old Dhoni possibly making his last IPL appearance next year.
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Dhoni has been retained by CSK as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore. According to the IPL rules, any player who hasn’t played international cricket or held a central contract for five years is considered uncapped. Franchises were allowed to retain a maximum of two uncapped players.
CSK have retained five players, including Dhoni.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja have been retained for Rs 18 crore each, while Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has bagged Rs 13 crore and Shivam Dube Rs 12 crore.