Rishabh Pant created history at the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 24, by becoming the most expensive player ever in IPL history. The star wicketkeeper-batsman was sold to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a staggering ₹27 crore, breaking the previous record set earlier in the same auction.

Shreyas Iyer briefly held the title of the most expensive player after being acquired by Punjab Kings for ₹24.75 crore, surpassing Mitchell Starc's long-standing record. However, Iyer’s milestone was short-lived as Pant's bidding war turned historic moments later.

The Bidding Drama for Rishabh Pant

The auction began with a fierce contest between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants. RCB eventually bowed out at ₹11 crore. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) then entered the fray, even with a limited purse of ₹45 crore, but stopped at ₹20.50 crore.

Lucknow Super Giants took the lead with a bid of ₹20.75 crore when Delhi Capitals surprised everyone by using their Right to Match (RTM) card. Speculation around Pant’s exit from Delhi had been high after a cryptic social media post by the player in October hinted at a potential break-up with the franchise.

Despite using the RTM card, Delhi Capitals could not secure Pant, as Lucknow Super Giants raised the stakes to a record-breaking ₹27 crore. Under the new IPL auction rules, bids can continue even after an RTM card is used, allowing the previous franchise to match or withdraw. This time, Delhi chose to withdraw.

Delhi’s Surprising RTM Move

Before the auction, Pant was widely expected to be retained by Delhi Capitals, the franchise he has represented since his IPL debut in 2016. However, his social media post on X (formerly Twitter) sparked speculation about his future, as he jokingly asked fans, “If I go to the auction, will I be sold or not, and for how much?”

Responding to former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, Pant clarified that his exit from Delhi Capitals was not financially motivated, adding that he valued his time with the team that gave him his first IPL opportunity after the U19 World Cup.

Lucknow’s New Captain?

Pant’s arrival in Lucknow is expected to have a significant impact on the team. Reports suggest he is likely to replace KL Rahul as captain of LSG for IPL 2025. This move adds a new dimension to the team’s strategy, especially as LSG had retained Nicholas Pooran for ₹21 crore and was rumored to consider him for the captaincy role.

The Big Picture

Rishabh Pant’s record-breaking bid underscores his value as a player and leader in the IPL. The bidding war highlighted his status as one of the most sought-after cricketers in the league, as well as the evolving dynamics of team strategies in the auction. His move to Lucknow Super Giants marks a new chapter in his IPL journey, and all eyes will be on how he reshapes the team’s fortunes in the upcoming season.