Lucknow: Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL auction history at the 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman was acquired by the Lucknow Super Giants for a staggering ₹27 crore.
Previously, the Delhi Capitals had used their RTM (Right to Match) card at ₹20.75 crore to retain Pant. However, Lucknow upped the bid to ₹27 crore, prompting DC to back down.
This historic deal saw Pant eclipse the record just set by Shreyas Iyer, who was secured by the Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore.
Pant, who was let go by the Delhi Capitals before this year’s auction, had been with the team since 2016. He took over as captain in the 2021 season, replacing an injured Shreyas Iyer, and continued as captain for the 2022 IPL.
After a severe car accident in December 2022, Pant returned to IPL in 2024, resuming his role as captain of the Delhi Capitals and scoring 446 runs in a season that was otherwise unremarkable for the team.