Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina made a big statement about Rishabh Pant, saying the wicketkeeper-batter deserves ₹25-30 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. He praised Pant as a top-notch player and wicketkeeper, calling him a “gun player.”
Rishabh Pant, one of India’s biggest cricket stars, is set to enter the IPL 2025 auction. Delhi Capitals did not retain him, instead choosing Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel.
Reports suggest there were disagreements between Pant and the franchise, leading to his exit. Pant clarified on Twitter that his decision wasn’t about money. With many teams needing an Indian captain, Pant is expected to attract massive bids due to his impact on the field.
Suresh Raina believes Pant should earn as much as ₹25-30 crore in the auction, arguing that Indian players deserve high pay like Australian players. Speaking to The Times of India, Raina said:
“We should see this as an opportunity. If Australian players are getting big money, why not our players? He’s a captain, a gun player, and a great wicketkeeper. Considering his brand value and endorsements, he deserves ₹25-30 crore.”
Raina praised Pant’s winning attitude, saying he has the potential to lead a team to victory. He also mentioned that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, both available in the auction, are strong contenders for captaincy. Raina added:
“Rishabh has the attitude to win a cup anywhere. He worked hard in Delhi. The same goes for Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who are also captaincy options. Teams like RCB, Punjab Kings, Delhi, and Lucknow are looking for Indian captains.”
“CSK has ₹55 crore left. If they spend ₹25-30 crore on one player, they’ll have to build the rest of the squad with the remaining budget. Punjab has the most money (₹110.50 crore), while Delhi has an RTM (Right-to-Match card). I wouldn’t be surprised if Pant joins RCB, as they also need a captain.” he concluded.
Raina hinted at Pant potentially joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and discussed how Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might approach the auction. He noted that teams like Punjab Kings, with the biggest budget, and RCB could target Pant.
