The upcoming IPL season promises a dramatic shake-up as several high-profile players might be switching franchises. One of the biggest stories could be the departure of Rishabh Pant, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman, from his long-time team, Delhi Capitals (DC). According to a Dainik Jagran report, DC’s management is contemplating releasing Pant, their current captain and leading run-scorer.
This decision stems from reported dissatisfaction with Pant’s performance, though details remain undisclosed. While there’s a chance they might trade him, former Indian captain and DC’s Director of Cricket, Sourav Ganguly, reportedly favours retaining Pant at the helm.
If released, the 26-year-old southpaw, who played a pivotal role as India’s No. 3 batsman in the recent T20 World Cup, could find himself donning the yellow jersey of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
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This possibility arises as CSK seeks a top Indian wicketkeeper-batsman to potentially replace the legendary MS Dhoni, who might be nearing the twilight of his IPL career at 43. Dhoni currently holds the record for most matches played in the tournament’s history, and his participation in the 2025 edition seems unlikely.
According to Abhishek Tripathi, many IPL teams are looking for a captaincy change. Rohit Sharma and Surya Kumar Yadav might lead different IPL franchises. Pant might leave DC and KL might leave LSG. This IPL retention and auction would be crazy.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) July 20, 2024
Another potential transfer saga involves KL Rahul, the stylish right-handed batsman. His three-year stint with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) might be coming to an abrupt end. Following a disappointing IPL 2024 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rahul was publicly criticized by LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, an incident captured on camera. With this strained relationship, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Rahul seeking a new team.
Interestingly, a potential homecoming could be on the cards for Rahul. The 31-year-old Karnataka batsman, who previously played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2013 and 2016, has expressed a desire to represent his home state team again.
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RCB, having finished in the playoffs under Faf du Plessis’ leadership in IPL 2024, is reportedly looking for an Indian captain. If they manage to secure Rahul, the experienced leader, who has captained India across all formats, could be leading RCB’s charge in 2025. These potential player movements promise to generate significant buzz as the IPL mega auction approaches. Only time will tell if these rumors materialize and how they reshape the landscape of the league for the upcoming season.
