In a historic turn at the IPL mega auction held in Jeddah on Sunday, star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured him for an unprecedented ₹27 crore, marking a significant shift in Pant’s IPL journey.
Delhi Capitals (DC) co-owner Parth Jindal clarified that Pant’s departure from the franchise was not financially driven but stemmed from differing philosophies on team management.
Philosophical Differences Led to the Split
In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Jindal elaborated on the reasons behind Pant’s exit from DC, emphasizing that money was never a concern.
“It was purely a difference in how Rishabh envisioned the franchise and how we, as owners, wanted to manage it. Money was never an issue for either side. Despite our best efforts to align, the three of us—Rishabh, the management, and the owners—were on different wavelengths. In the end, Rishabh decided it was time to move on,” Jindal explained.
Describing the separation as “devastating” on a personal level, Jindal revealed his affection for the young cricketer.
“I consider him like a brother. We gave it everything to make it work, but ultimately, we respect his decision,” he added.
Leadership Not a Point of Contention
Jindal also dismissed the notion that leadership disagreements led to the parting. Instead, the franchise offered constructive feedback on his leadership, recognizing his aspirations to one day captain India.
“We knew Rishabh’s ambition to lead India and supported his growth. Leadership discussions were part of his development, not the reason for his departure,” Jindal clarified.
A Key Player in Indian and IPL Cricket
Pant, known for his electrifying performances and match-winning ability, has been a vital figure in Indian cricket across all formats. While his T20I numbers—1,209 runs in 76 matches at an average of 23.25—may not fully reflect his potential, his overall T20 career stats are outstanding, boasting 5,022 runs at an average of 31.78 and a strike rate exceeding 145, with two centuries and 25 fifties.
In his IPL tenure
