“Incredibly unlikely that RCB will get hold of Rishabh Pant” – AB de Villiers on wicket-keeper’s destination for IPL 2025 auction

Former South African batter AB de Villiers feels it is going to be incredibly unlikely that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will unlikely rope in Rishabh Pant. Before the IPL 2025 mega auction, RCB has decided to retain Virat Kohli (21 crore), Rajat Patidar (11 crore) and Yash Dayal (5 crore). Thus, RCB have a remaining purse of INR 83 crore.

Meanwhile, Pant has been released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the auction. The southpaw has been in terrific form and top-scored in the three-Test match series against New Zealand with 261 runs at an average of 43.50. Pant returned with scores of 60 and 64 in the Mumbai Test, which India lost by 25 runs.

The left-hander is known to turn the match on its head with his blistering batting and has scored 3284 runs in 111 IPL matches at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93.

“I think it is incredibly unlikely that RCB will get hold of Rishabh Pant, I think he will be too expensive and all the franchises are going to go for him in the auction. I do feel Punjab Kings spend whatever they can to get him, that’s my personal feeling. It’s my gut feel, I feel there is a very tight connection between him and Ricky Ponting. I think we are going to see him at Punjab Kings,” said De Villiers on his YouTube Channel.

“We’ll see what happens, if not, it would be great if RCB can have Rishabh, but I just think, he is going to be too expensive. I want RCB’s focus to be on the bowling department, a world-class spinner and also some local players. Want some Bengaluru players in there, I have heard Anil Kumble say it before that they don’t keep their local players, quality talented local players,” he added.

AB reckons RCB can also target KL Rahul, who was released by Lucknow Super Giants, in the IPL auction. Rahul led LSG to playoffs on two occasions in three years as a leader and the South African backed the right-hander to soon find form.

“KL is a quality player, he might be a bit cheaper. Definitely not a bad pick, I love him to bits. The way he plays and I think he is due to come back into form. The classy players like him find a way to come back into form. KL Rahul can also take over from Virat, he is not that old yet. But focus on bowling department, world-class spinner and local batters,” De Villiers said in the same video.

IPL 2025 auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.