The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction is always an exciting event, with the excitement reaching new heights during a mega-auction. This year’s mega-auction is generating considerable buzz, particularly with speculation about significant player movements among the 10 teams. One key figure under the spotlight is Rishabh Pant, whose future with Delhi Capitals (DC) is surrounded by uncertainty and speculations of moving to Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Recent reports indicate dissatisfaction within Delhi Capitals regarding Pant’s performance as captain. This dissatisfaction coincides with growing speculation about whether MS Dhoni will continue playing in the IPL for another season. Dhoni, who turned 43 this year, has struggled with knee issues throughout the last season, leading to him frequently batting lower in the order and facing minimal overs. Despite these challenges, his wicketkeeping remains sharp.
Amidst this backdrop, Pant recently stirred up further speculation with an Instagram post. The 26-year-old cricketer shared a photo imitating a pose struck by Bollywood superstar Rajinikanth, captioned “Thalaiva.” This term, meaning ‘leader,’ is closely associated with Dhoni, who has often been referred to as ‘Thala’ by his fans. Some fans interpreted Pant’s post as a hint towards a potential move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with one comment suggesting, “CSK pant is confirmed.”
Interestingly, Dhoni had previously posted a similar photo in August 2016, mimicking the same pose from the film Kabali, which was released that year.
The speculation over Dhoni’s participation in the 2024 IPL season has led to discussions about possible replacements for CSK. If Dhoni decides to retire, CSK would likely look for a top wicketkeeper to fill his shoes. Reports suggest that Pant, if made available by Delhi Capitals, could be a prime candidate for this role. According to Dainik Jagran, there have been talks about trading Pant, even though DC’s Director of Cricket, Sourav Ganguly, is reportedly keen on keeping Pant as captain.
The timing of these discussions is notable, coming shortly after Ricky Ponting’s resignation as DC’s head coach. While Ganguly has shown interest in the head coach position, DC has reportedly denied plans to offer the role to the former India captain.
Also read: BCCI Allows Uncapped Player Rule for MS Dhoni: Reports
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