With the fast-approaching Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, most franchises have zeroed in on the players they want to retain.

Each of the 10 IPL teams can retain up to six cricketers, through the retention and Right To Match (RTM) option. October 31 is the deadline for retentions ahead of next month’s blockbuster auction.

Meanwhile, a report published in TOI suggests that several franchises are waiting for Delhi Capitals (DC) to announce their retention list so that they can know how much they should spend on their retentions if Rishabh Pant’s name doesn’t feature in the list.

According to the report, franchises like Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are keen on signing Pant as their captain. There are a few others teams too, who may be interested in securing the services of the wicketkeeper-batter.

Rishabh Pant returned to lead the Capitals in IPL 2024 after missing the 2023 season due to injuries sustained in the horrific car accident. The southpaw scored 446 runs in 13 games at an impressive strike rate of 155 in this year’s IPL. However, his team failed to qualify for the playoffs.

DC last reached the IPL playoffs in IPL 2021, while their best-ever finish in the tournament is when they finished as finalists in 2020 under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy.

However, DC co-owner Parth Jindal had confirmed earlier this month that Pant is guaranteed to be retained by the franchise.

“Yes, we definitely have to retain. We have some very good players in our team. The rules have just come out, so after discussing with GMR and our director of cricket, Sourav Ganguly, decisions will be made. Rishabh Pant will definitely be retained,” Jindal had said while speaking to media.

Interestingly, the Capitals parted ways with Sourav Ganguly after Jindal’s comments, replacing the former India skipper with Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket.

It remains to be seen what decision the DC franchise management takes with regards to Rishabh Pant’s retention.

(With TOI Inputs)