“Thought RCB letting Chahal go was the worst retention failure”- Fans react as Rishabh Pant is released by Delhi Capitals

Fans online reacted as Delhi Capitals released Team India wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant in their retention announcement made today (Thursday, October 31). This marks the end of the players association with the franchise after nine years.

Delhi Capitals acquired Rishabh Pant for ₹1.90 crores in the 2016 auction after winning a three-way bidding war between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Pant has been a part of the franchise for the last eight seasons, with the 27-year-old winning the Emerging Player of the Year award in 2018.

Pant was also a part of the squad that reached the Capitals' first-ever IPL final in 2020. After parting ways with Shreyas Iyer in 2022, Pant was handed the reins of the captaincy and led them that season. He was out of action for the 2023 IPL season after suffering a horrific car crash. However, came back for the IPL season earlier this year, being one of their leading run-getters in this season.

Ahead of next year's IPL, the Capitals decided to part ways with Pant and have only retained four players. The fans were quick to express their views on the same on X:

"Thought RCB letting Yuzi Chahal go was the worst retention failure. Delhi Capitals might have topped that one with letting Rishabh Pant go. Unreal!" - wrote a user.

"Rishabh Pant will go to #PBKS. Ponting is already there as a coach." - another user commented.

"Rishabh Pant to PBKS? KL Rahul to RCB? Shreyas Iyer to Delhi?" - a third user asked, guessing which team he might be heading to

Take a look at a few more reactions below:

"Me watching CSK throwing up bid paddles for Rishabh Pant at 24 cr, with a grand total purse of 55 cr"

"Pant is for sure going to PBKS. CSK has only 55cr left, they cannot afford Pant at 30cr and rest of the team at 25cr"

"Wow A new squad Looks like RCB will be gunning for both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul #RCB #IPLRetention #ViratKohli #KingKohli"

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Delhi Capitals retain only four players ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Delhi Capitals have let go of their skipper Rishabh Pant and have made four retentions, with Axar Patel taking the top spot. Kuldeep Yadav and Tristan Stubbs are the other two capped players, with Abhishek Porel being their last and uncapped player retention.

Delhi Capitals retentions: Axar Patel (₹16.50 crore), Kuldeep Yadav (₹13.25 crore), Tristan Stubbs (₹10 crore), Abishek Porel (₹4 crore)

With ₹73 crore in the kitty for the Capitals along with two RTMs, expect the 2020 finalists to make some big buys in the auction.