Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who made a stunning comeback to Test cricket with a century in Chennai, has made headlines once again—this time regarding his future with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Amid ongoing speculations about his departure from the franchise, it has now been confirmed that Pant will continue with the Delhi Capitals for the 2024 IPL season.
According to reports, Delhi Capitals have decided to retain Pant as their top player, putting to rest the rumors about his possible transfer to another team, such as Chennai Super Kings. With this move, Pant’s position as a core member of the franchise remains strong, and there’s even talk of an increase in his salary ahead of the next season.
Rishabh Pant to Stay with Delhi Capitals as No. 1 Retention
Reports from Cricbuzz suggest that the Delhi Capitals, owned by GMR Sports and JSW Sports, have decided to retain Pant as their number-one pick for the upcoming IPL season. Just like during the last mega auction, Pant is set to be the franchise’s highest-paid player, which further solidifies his standing within the team. This news also puts an end to rumors suggesting Pant’s potential departure from Delhi, with some earlier reports speculating about him joining Chennai Super Kings and Delhi replacing him with Rohit Sharma as captain.
Pant has been a crucial part of Delhi Capitals since making his IPL debut in 2016. After Shreyas Iyer’s injury, Pant was handed the captaincy in 2021, and he continued to lead the team effectively. Despite missing the 2023 season due to injuries sustained in a road accident, Pant’s return to IPL 2024 is highly anticipated, especially after his remarkable form in Test cricket.
Franchise Owners Confirm Decision After Meeting with Pant
The decision to retain Pant reportedly came after a recent meeting between Pant and Parth Jindal, the co-owner of Delhi Capitals and JSW Sports. During this meeting, Jindal expressed his confidence in Pant’s abilities and confirmed the franchise’s wish to keep him as part of the team. The two sides quickly agreed on the terms, cementing Pant’s future with the franchise.
Will Pant’s Salary Increase Next Season?
Rishabh Pant currently earns a hefty salary of Rs 16 crore per season with Delhi Capitals, but reports suggest that this figure could increase for the 2024 season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to raise the auction purse for each franchise, from the current Rs 95 crore, ahead of the mega auction for the upcoming IPL season. This could potentially lead to an increase in player retention fees, including Pant’s salary.
However, the BCCI has yet to release the official retention rules and guidelines for the upcoming season. Until these are made public, the exact structure for retentions and salary adjustments will remain speculative, but it is widely believed that the number of retentions and the auction purse are set to increase.
Pant’s Journey with Delhi Capitals
Since joining Delhi Capitals in 2016, Rishabh Pant has become one of the franchise’s most valuable assets. His explosive batting style and leadership abilities have helped the team remain competitive in the IPL. When Shreyas Iyer was sidelined due to injury in 2021, Pant stepped up as captain and has since continued to lead the team. His absence in the 2023 season was deeply felt, but his return in 2024 as both captain and a top player has reignited hopes for the franchise.
Fans of Delhi Capitals will no doubt be thrilled to see Pant back in action for the 2024 IPL season, especially with the possibility of him taking home an even larger paycheck for his continued commitment and performance. With Pant’s retention confirmed, Delhi Capitals will aim to build a strong team around him as they prepare for the next season’s challenges.
