Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, an intriguing revelation has emerged following Delhi Capitals’ (DC) decision not to retain Rishabh Pant. This decision brings an end to Pant’s nine-year association with the 2020 finalists, as the franchise has chosen to release him. Axar Patel has been retained as the team’s first choice. However, a new report has disclosed that Pant was reportedly unhappy with decisions made by the co-owner GMR Group, which will oversee the franchise for the next two years. Recently, GMR Group also made changes to the coaching staff.
According to a report by news agency PTI, Pant was dissatisfied with the decision to appoint Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as DC’s Director of Cricket. Additionally, the report states that Pant was displeased with the GMR Group’s restrictions on his authority. Earlier reports suggested that Delhi Capitals was considering removing Pant as captain and handing the responsibility to Axar Patel.
Delhi Capitals initially acquired Pant in 2016 through the auction, and he was retained before the last two mega auctions. He was even seen sitting at the auction table with the franchise in the previous mega auction, making key decisions. Delhi Capitals has a 50-50 ownership between the JSW Group and the GMR Group, with each group managing the franchise on a two-year rotation. For the 2025 and 2026 IPL seasons, DC will operate under the GMR Group’s leadership.
It was GMR Group’s decision that led DC to part ways with Ricky Ponting, who had been the team’s head coach for seven years. Indian cricket legend Sourav Ganguly was also removed as the team’s Director of Cricket. These changes reportedly left Pant unhappy and gave him reason to seek a new franchise in the upcoming auction. Pant is expected to be one of the most sought-after players in this year’s auction pool, having recently won the T20 World Cup 2024 with the Indian team.
