Delhi Capitals are preparing to retain captain Rishabh Pant as their top pick for the upcoming IPL season.
The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been a cornerstone of the franchise since his debut, amassing 3,284 runs to become their all-time leading scorer.
Although Pant missed the 2023 IPL season due to a serious accident in December 2022, he made a strong comeback in 2024, scoring 446 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 155. His recent Test century against Bangladesh further highlights his value to both Delhi Capitals and Indian cricket.
According to a report, Pant’s retention was confirmed after a crucial meeting with Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal in Mumbai, putting to rest rumors of any issues regarding his retention fee. While the BCCI has yet to release official retention rules, sources within the franchise confirm Pant will be prioritized, with his current IPL salary of INR 16 crore likely to increase.
In addition to Pant, Delhi Capitals are looking to retain key players like Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, overseas talents Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs, and uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel.