In the IPL mega auction, Lucknow Super Giants shocked everyone by acquiring star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. Lucknow placed a record-breaking bid of ₹27 crore for Pant, surpassing Sunrisers Hyderabad’s highest bid of ₹20.75 crore.
Delhi Capitals initially used the RTM (Right to Match) card for their captain. However, when Lucknow’s owner, Sanjeev Goenka, announced the final price of ₹27 crore, Delhi chose to withdraw their RTM. As a result, Pant joined the Lucknow Super Giants at a historic price, becoming the most expensive player in IPL history.
.@DelhiCapitals 🙌#RP17 pic.twitter.com/DtMuJKrdIQ
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) November 26, 2024
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From the next season, Indian cricket team star Rishabh Pant will don the jersey of Lucknow Super Giants. This marks the end of Pant’s long association with the Delhi Capitals franchise. Team co-owner Parth Jindal expressed his emotions over Pant’s departure.
In an interview with RevSportz, Jindal said, “After Dada (Sourav Ganguly), my favourite cricketer is Rishabh Pant. He is in my heart. I am truly emotional and sad. I lost my favourite cricketer. He will always remain my favourite, but I am very happy with the auction results.”
What Did Parth Jindal Say?
Parth Jindal further explained, “We lost Rishabh the moment we decided not to retain him. We shouldn’t fool ourselves into thinking we could get him back at the auction. If I had used the Right to Match (RTM) at that price, it would have disrupted the auction strategy of Delhi Capitals (DC). Rishabh Pant at ₹18 crores and ₹27 crores are two completely different scenarios.”
Jindal also shared that he and the co-owners of GMR had discussions with Rishabh Pant before releasing him. Jindal stated, “I don’t think it’s about ownership. As an ownership group, we were very united. It was a collective decision. We had extensive discussions with Rishabh. There were certain expectations we had from him that weren’t met last season or the one before. We gave him honest feedback regarding this.”
To Rishabh @RishabhPant17 you are and will always remain my younger brother – from the bottom of my heart I love you and I have tried everything to make sure you are happy and have treated you like my family. I am very sad to see you go and I am very emotional about it. You will…
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) November 26, 2024
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Both JSW and GMR, including Kiran (Grandhi) and I, are like a family. We were unified in making this decision and gave him feedback. However, his response didn’t align with what we had hoped for. He made an emotional decision, but it’s worth noting that he grew up within this franchise.
My Heart Melted at the Auction
Jindal shared, “When Pant started, he was just a youngster. Delhi Daredevils gave him his first opportunity. What transpired wasn’t what I had envisioned. We had an extensive discussion, but ultimately, Rishabh decided he didn’t want to stay. Both Kiran and I made every effort to convince him, but he chose to go in a different direction.
At that point, I told him, ‘Rishabh, it’s okay, I won’t pursue you in the auction.’ However, my heart melted during the auction. I did try to bring him back, but the bidding price became too high. It was a collective decision we made as a team.”