On Tuesday, December 19, Rishabh Pant is scheduled to attend the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Dubai. The wicketkeeper/batter from India will be playing in his first official match since his near-death experience on New Year’s Eve last year.
A Delhi Capitals ownership group member confirmed to Cricbuzz that Pant would be present at the auction, though it is unclear if he will be lifting the paddle. The member also affirmed that Pant will head the team and play in the IPL 2024 the following year. Pant should be fully fit by the end of February. The latter week of March is when the IPL is anticipated to begin.
Pant, 25, is slated to participate in a live IPL auction as the first-ever captain in the standings. Coach Ricky Ponting will be at the Delhi Capitals auction table with Pant. Pant participated in the team’s preparations for the auction. According to franchise sources, he engaged fully in the discussion with coach Ponting.
Gautam Gambhir, who recently became a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders, will be one of the celebrities in attendance at the auction. Gambhir, who will be at the Knight Riders’ table, has also landed in Dubai. Akash Ambani will represent the Mumbai Indians among the owners, and Ness Wadia from the Punjab Kings will also be there. Here in Dubai is also Knight Riders’ Jay Mehta.
Up to 332 in the auction roster
Three hundred and thirty-two players will be up for auction in the meantime. Following the announcement earlier in the day by Cricbuzz of three withdrawals, namely Rehan Ahmed (England), Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam (all Bangladesh), two players have been added to the initial list of 333 players.
We have heard that two new members have been added to the roster: Sahil Dhiwan from Rajasthan and Kaushal Tambe from Maharashtra, bringing the total to 332. Nandre Burger, who made his debut for South Africa lately, has also been transferred from the uncapped bunch to the capped category. His base price, which was originally set at Rs 20 lakh, has now been increased to Rs 50 lakh.