Rishabh Pant's departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) has emerged as one of the major talking points ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The decision, which has been brewing for months, came after the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter opted against being retained by the franchise, instead choosing to enter the auction.

Pant, who joined the DC franchise as a teenager in 2016, reportedly sought a bigger role within the team beyond his captaincy duties. However, the DC management and Pant were not aligned in terms of the future direction of the franchise, leading to his emotional decision to part ways.

According to The Times of India, Pant’s departure was the result of prolonged discussions between him and the DC management, but no common ground could be reached.

Eight-Year Journey with Delhi Capital

Rishabh Pant’s association with Delhi Capitals spanned over eight years, during which he became an integral part of the team. Having been a key player since being signed as an 18-year-old in 2016, Pant's exit has left a void in the squad.

A source revealed, “It was a very emotional moment for all the stakeholders. Pant has been an integral part of the franchise since he was first bought in 2016. The owners and Pant didn’t want this relationship to end easily. So, they kept trying till the end. But Pant decided that he would rather leave on good terms and avoid any conflict.”

Lack of Communication and Key Decisions

Reports suggest that Pant was not informed when DC management appointed Hemang Badani as the new head coach and Venugopal Rao as the director of cricket. This breakdown in communication is believed to have been one of the key factors in Pant's decision to leave.

“The GMR group was the sole owner of the team when Pant was bought in 2016, and they share a very close relationship with him. However, despite their bond, Pant expected a greater role in the franchise, and although it was agreed upon in August, the plans didn’t materialize," the source added.

Pant’s decision to enter the IPL 2025 auction marks the end of a significant chapter for both him and Delhi Capitals. As the mega auction approaches, it will be interesting to see which team secures the services of one of the most dynamic players in world cricket today.