Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has denied speculation that his departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 auction was due to a disagreement over his retention fee. The clarification came after Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar suggested that top players, like Pant, sometimes leave their franchises to assess their true market value in the IPL auction, particularly when there are talks about retention fees.

In a video shared by Star Sports before the IPL 2025 auction, Gavaskar discussed the dynamics of IPL retention, noting that sometimes players move away from their franchises to better understand their worth. He speculated that Pant’s exit from DC might have been due to a dispute over the retention fee, especially since certain players had been retained for fees higher than expected. Gavaskar also predicted that Delhi would want Pant back in the squad, as they would need a new captain if Pant wasn't available.

However, Rishabh Pant took to social media to set the record straight. In a reply to the video post on X (formerly Twitter), Pant wrote, “My retention wasn’t about the money for sure that I can say.” His statement unequivocally rejected the notion that financial terms were behind his decision to leave the Delhi-based franchise.

Pant is one of the most sought-after players in the IPL 2025 mega auction, with all 10 franchises likely to be in the race for his signature. Despite speculation linking him to several teams, including Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, a return to Delhi Capitals is still a possibility. Pant's leadership qualities, explosive batting, and wicket-keeping skills make him an attractive target for franchises looking to strengthen their squads.

Pant’s move to another franchise, or potentially returning to DC, is expected to be one of the key talking points of the IPL 2025 auction, where franchises are aiming to build the most competitive teams for the upcoming season.