Former India keeper Deep Dasgupta has made a sensation claim that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might go after Rishabh Pant in the IPL 2025 mega auction if MS Dhoni decides to retire after the IPL 2024.
Rishabh Pant has been with the Delhi Capitals (DC) since his IPL debut in 2016 and has played 98 matches, scoring 2838 runs with one century and 15 fifties at an average pf 34.61 and strike-rate of 147.97. He has also captained DC in IPL 2021 and 2022.
However, Pant missed the IPL 2023 as he steadily recovers from the near fatal car accident he was involved in December 2022. DC director of cricket Sourav Ganguly even said that Pant is in good shape and will lead the team in IPL 2024.
On the other hand, MS Dhoni underwent a knee surgery right after CSK won the IPL 2023 and has been recovering from it since. Given that CSK retained Dhoni ahead of IPL 2024 auction, it is confirmed that he will play in the IPL next year.
But by the time IPL 2025 comes along, MS Dhoni will be almost 44 and with this in mind, ex-India keeper Deep Dasgupta said that CSK could target Pant as the replacement for their legendary captain.
“Don’t be surprised if they get Rishabh Pant by IPL 2025. MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant are very close. Obviously, Rishabh adores MS, and MS also likes him very much. They spend a lot of time together. Their connection and Rishabh’s thinking are very similar, considering he is very attacking and positive. He’s always talking about winning and what not,” said Dasgupta.
