Rishabh Pant has made history by becoming the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) auction history, fetching a record-breaking ₹27 crore in the 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured the services of the Indian wicketkeeper-batter after an intense bidding war.
The Delhi Capitals initially exercised their Right to Match (RTM) card at ₹20.75 crore in a bid to retain Pant, but LSG raised the stakes to ₹27 crore, forcing Delhi to bow out. This historic bid shattered the previous record set just moments earlier by Shreyas Iyer, who was acquired by the Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore.
Shashwat Goenka, LSG’s representative, explained the team’s strategy: “No matter how much you plan, things don’t always work out like that. This [getting Pant for ₹27 crore] was very well to our plan. It wasn’t really a magic number; we just wanted a number so that the RTM doesn’t get exercised.”
Pant’s departure from the Delhi Capitals marks the end of an era. Having joined the franchise in 2016, he was appointed captain ahead of the 2021 season, taking over from an injured Shreyas Iyer. Although Delhi retained him as captain for IPL 2022, they released him ahead of the 2025 auction, paving the way for this record-smashing deal.
Pant’s journey to this milestone has been remarkable, particularly after his return to professional cricket in 2024 following a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. Despite the severity of his injuries, he made a strong comeback and resumed his role as Delhi Capitals’ captain. During IPL 2024, he scored 446 runs, though the team had another underwhelming season.
With this monumental signing, LSG is looking to bolster its squad with Pant’s leadership and batting prowess. The acquisition not only underscores Pant’s immense value in the cricketing world but also reflects the franchise’s commitment to assembling a championship-winning team.
