Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are gearing up for a potential change while looking at the near future. With MS Dhoni at the fag end of his career, the team is actively exploring options to bolster their squad and ensure continued success.
According to a recent report by theindianexpress.com, CSK is keen on acquiring Pant and sees him as a potential replacement for Dhoni in the future.
Pant, a talented wicket-keeper batter, has been a force to be reckoned with in the IPL, and his aggressive batting style could be a valuable asset to the Chennai franchise. However, if CSK does lure Pant then will need to shell out a sum of money exceeding Rs 20 crore.
To accommodate such a big-money signing, the Yellow Brigade may consider releasing Ravindra Jadeja and then using the Right to Match (RTM) card to retain him at a potentially lower cost. This strategic move would free up a significant portion of their purse, allowing them to bid aggressively for Pant.
According to the report, MS Dhoni is the brains behind this strategy. However, CSK's final retention policy will ultimately depend on multiple factors, including the availability of players, the auction dynamics, and the team's long-term vision.
Meanwhile, according to PTI, Pant has left Delhi Capitals and will be the hottest player in the IPL auction pool after the GMR-run franchise decided to release the India international.
"Once GMR appointed Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket and Hemang Badani as head coach, the writing was on cards. GMR is also in talks with Shreyas Iyer, under whom the team played its only final in 2020. Iyer is not going to play for KKR," a source tracking DC's development told PTI on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday.
Once the Kiran Grandhi-led management decided on getting rid of Pant, things couldn't be salvaged as people who know the cricketer vouched that he had felt "hurt" at the turn of events.