RCB to sign Rishabh Pant for “Rs 25-30 crore” at IPL Auction, as per CSK legend Suresh Raina

There is no doubt that Rishabh Pant will attract bids from almost all the franchises at the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. However, IPL great and four-time winner Suresh Raina believes that Pant would become the costliest player ever in IPL history. The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) great feels that Pant would be sold for anything above Rs 25 crore, a figure that even Mitchell Starc failed to touch at last season’s auction. Starc was sold at Rs 24.75 crore to KKR at IPL 2024 and was part of their title-winning run. After Pant was released by the Delhi Capitals (DC), his new franchise would love to win the title with the stylish southpaw at the helm.

Suresh Raina on Rishabh Pant’s value at IPL 2025 Auction

Pant will absolutely be the biggest asset on the bidding table. After all, he is not only a superb T20 player, but adds value with his huge fan following and experience of captaincy in the IPL. Raina aggregates all these traits and feels that this could get Pant huge bucks in Jeddah on November 24.

“We should really look at this as an opportunity. If you see the Australian players, they are getting paid (big money). Then why not our players,” said Raina in an exclusive chat with Timesofindia.com. “He (Pant) is a (DC) captain, gun player, gun wicketkeeper. If you look at his brand value, he is good for endorsement. So he should get (the money) as well — Rs 25, 30 (crore), whatever he deserves.

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Rishabh Pant to RCB?

Interestingly, Raina even dropped the names of franchises who would love to have Pant on their rosters. One of those teams is the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who would be eyeing for a captain now that they have released Faf du Plessis. Raina said that he ‘won’t be surprised’ if RCB acquire Pant. The amount was already give by Raina, anything between Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore.

“Punjab has the money (Rs 110.50 crore), Delhi has RTM (Right-to-Match card). I won’t be surprised if he (Pant) goes to RCB (Rs 83 crore purse) because they are also looking for a captain.”

Rishabh Pant IPL stats