NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction is just a few days away and the excitement is building up for what promises to be an exciting event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24-25. Plenty of big names have registered and there are high expectations of a bidding war for Rishabh Pant.
The wicketkeeper-batter wasn’t retained by the Delhi Capitals and is very likely to trigger a bidding war between teams looking for an Indian captain. Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Suresh Raina feels Pant coming into the auction pool is an opportunity for the youngster to earn the big bucks.
“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.
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At the mini-auction last year, Australia quick Mitchell Starc became the costliest ever player when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shelled out Rs 24.75 crore, breaking the record after Starc’s Australia teammate and captain Pat Cummins took home Rs 20.50 from Sunrisers Hyderabad. Raina expects Pant to get a higher bid because of the all-round package he brings to the table.
“He 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,” added the former cricketer.
Apart from Pant, Raina is expecting a lot of interest from franchises for the likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul.
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“Rishabh has that attitude to win a Cup anywhere. He tried in Delhi, worked very hard there…Same goes with Shreyas Iyer (not retained by KKR), same goes with KL Rahul (not retained by Lucknow Super Giants) because right now it’s not just about buying players — they (teams) are also looking for a captain. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings, Delhi, Lucknow — four teams are such that they are looking for an Indian captain,” said Raina.
While many teams are desperate to get an Indian captain, it will ultimately boil down to the auction dynamics and the teams will have to keep a watchful eye on their remaining purse too.
“CSK has to make a team, and they have Rs 55 crore left with them (after spending Rs 65 crore to retain five players); and if they buy one player for Rs 25-30 crore, then they have to make a squad of 18 (at least),” explained Raina.
“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 left) because they are also looking for a captain,” concluded the stylish southpaw.