No Rishabh Pant? Delhi may spend Rs 15-20 crore for his replacement, says Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar has said that Delhi Capitals would be willing to splash Rs. 15-20 crores for a replacement for Rishabh Pant during the IPL 2025 auction. Gavaskar feels DC could target Ishan Kishan as the replacement for Pant.

In Short

• Pant left DC after 8 years with the franchise
• Gavaskar feels DC could target Kishan as Pant's replacement
• DC will head into the auction with a 73-crore purse

Sunil Gavaskar feels that Delhi Capitals could target Ishan Kishan as their Rishabh Pant replacement and feels they could bid as much 15-20 crores for the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter. Kishan has been a part of Mumbai Indians for the past 3 seasons, where he was used as an opener alongside Rohit Sharma. However, the 2024 season was underwhelming for Kishan as he managed just 320 runs in 14 matches for MI.

He was subsequently released by the 5-time champions and finds himself in the auction list alongside Pant. With Delhi needing a replacement for their former skipper, Gavaskar feels that they could be in the market for Kishan. Speaking to Star Sports, the Indian legend said that DC will try hard to get Kishan in the auction and could give big money as well. Gavaskar feels that Kishan has the ability to change the complexion of a game with the way he bats.

“I feel Delhi will try very hard to get Ishan Kishan. They might be ready to pay 15 to 20 crores for Ishan Kishan because we have seen that Ishan Kishan has the ability to change the complexion of the game in T20 cricket because of the way he bats,” said Gavaskar.

Kishan was sold to MI in the IPL 2022 mega auction for a whooping Rs 15.25 crore.

IPL Auction: Full Coverage

Punjab may make a play for Kishan

Many are tipping Punjab Kings to be the hot favourites to land Pant in the auction as they have the biggest purse in the auction. However, in case they miss out on the former DC captain, Gavaskar feels Punjab could make a play for Kishan.

“With Delhi not retaining Rishabh Pant, they will look for a wicketkeeper-batter as well. Punjab has possibly got the biggest purse so far when they go into the auction. So Punjab will also make a play for Ishan Kishan,” said Gavaskar.

PBKS head into the auction with a purse of 110.5 crores while DC will head into the event with 73. The IPL 2025 auction will happen on November 24 and November 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.