Rishabh Pant, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, just shattered IPL auction records. He was picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants for a staggering INR 27 crore. It set a new benchmark for the league’s most expensive purchase. This epic moment unfolded during a heated bidding battle where Lucknow outbid even the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The drama peaked when Delhi Capitals, his long-time team, pulled out their Right to Match card at INR 20.75 crore. However, LSG went all in to secure Pant’s services, showcasing their determination to bolster their squad with a player known for his explosive batting and leadership qualities.
Parth Jindal expressed a mix of emotions regarding Rishabh Pant’s departure from his team. He shared that he feels personally attached to Pant, considering him his favorite cricketer after Sourav Ganguly. Despite the sadness of losing Pant to another team, Jindal conveyed that he remains a fan of Pant and will continue to support him. However, he also expressed happiness with how the auction turned out, indicating that while he’s emotionally affected by the change, he appreciates the competitive nature of the IPL auction process.
“In my heart, I am very emotional and sad that I lost my favourite cricketer. After Dada (Sourav Ganguly), my favourite cricketer has been Rishabh Pant and he will continue to remain my favourite cricketer. But in my heart, I feel very sad that I lost him, but very happy with the auction,” JSW Sports Director, Parth Jindal, said in a candid chat with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar.
An Emotional interview of Parth Jindal about Rishabh Pant on Rev Sports. 🙇
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 26, 2024
– "In my heart I am very sad that we lost him (in auction)" says Parth Jindal pic.twitter.com/HQ1gG8ADuK
Rishabh Pant signed for Lucknow Super Giants
Parth Jindal acknowledged that the moment his team, Delhi Capitals, decided not to retain Rishabh Pant, they effectively lost him. He was candid about the situation, recognizing that if he had used the Right to Match at the high price of 27 crores, it would have been detrimental to the team’s financial strategy in the auction.
He made a distinction between the value Pant brings at different price points, indicating that at 18 crores, Pant could be considered a good investment, but at 27 crores, the financial implications change significantly. Parth admitted they lost Pant when they couldn’t secure him initially, reflecting a realistic acceptance of the auction’s outcome.
