New Delhi: BCCI is set to announce rules for the the Indian Premiere League (IPL) 2025 Mega auction, teams are actively searching for players to integrate into their long-term plans. Notably, the Chennai Super Kings, who appointed a new captain last year are reportedly interested in acquiring Rishabh Pant as a potential successor to the legendary MS Dhoni.
According to media reports, Delhi Capitals are reevaluating Rishabh Pant's role with the team due to his underwhelming performance, leaving his future with the franchise uncertain. The team is currently weighing its options, considering whether to retain him for the upcoming season or explore alternative solutions, including potentially trading him to another team.
Despite Delhi Capitals' reservations about Rishabh Pant's performance, Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain and current director of cricket for the franchise has expressed his support for retaining Pant as the team's captain, favoring for continuity in leadership.
According to a report, if Delhi Capitals opt to release Rishabh Pant, Chennai Super Kings may take this opportunity to acquire the talented wicketkeeper-batsman. This move would be strategic, considering the uncertainty surrounding MS Dhoni's future in the IPL. Although Dhoni played a major role in CSK's success in 2022, his participation in future seasons remains uncertain, making Pant a potential long-term replacement.
As MS Dhoni has already relinquished the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad, the report raises questions about Gaikwad's future role within the team if they acquire Rishabh Pant. The report fails to clarify whether Gaikwad would continue as captain, take on a different role or potentially face replacement by Pant, leaving Gaikwad's position uncertain.
In other news, Delhi Capitals have announced the departure of long-time coach Ricky Ponting, marking the end of an era. In a related development, Sourav Ganguly has expressed his interest in taking over as the franchise's next coach, but his appointment appears unlikely at present. Despite his desire to lead the team, Ganguly's candidature seems to be facing hurdles, leaving the search for Ponting's successor ongoing.
As reported by News 18, Delhi Capitals are seeking a long-term coaching solution, akin to Gautam Gambhir's successful tenure with Kolkata Knight Riders which culminated in their third IPL title. The franchise is looking for a coach who can bring stability and sustained success, rather than a short-term fix, with Gambhir's leadership style and achievements serving as a benchmark for their ideal candidate.