Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal reveals Rishabh Pant wants to lead India

Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal has revealed that Rishabh Pant is ambitious to lead India at the top level. Pant led Delhi Capitals in the past but the team did not retain him before IPL 2025 mega auction. The in-form wicket-keeper bat was roped in for a whopping amount of INR 27 crore by Lucknow Super Giants at the auction, making him the most expensive player in IPL history.

Pant has delivered consistently, especially in the Test format and he aspires to lead India in all formats of the game. The left-hander scored 261 runs in three Test matches against New Zealand at an average of 43.50.

“We were quite clear that we know his ambitions, we know where he wants to go. He’s made it amply clear that his dream and desire is to captain India and that starts with captaining an IPL team,” Parth Jindal recalled a chat between Pant and the DC team owners on ESPN Cricinfo.

After DC failed to retain Rishabh Pant, Jindal wrote an emotional post for the wicket-keeper batsman, stating he will always back him.

“To Rishabh Pant, you are and will always remain my younger brother – from the bottom of my heart I love you and I have tried everything to make sure you are happy and have treated you like my family. I am very sad to see you go and I am very emotional about it. You will always be in DC and I hope one day we can reunite. Thank you for everything Rishabh and remember that we will always love you – go well champ, the world is at your feet. Best wishes from all of us at Delhi Capitals – other than when you play DC I will be cheering and hoping for the best for you!” Parth Jindal wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Jindal also opened up on Delhi Capitals’ potential leader for IPL 2025. The DC co-owner said Axar Patel is one of the options as the all-rounder is known to keep the dressing room’s atmosphere light.

“Axar has been with the franchise for a long period of time. He has been a tremendous player for the franchise. He is probably the best all-rounder in the game today in T20s. Obviously, the successor to Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) is Axar in all respects. So he’s been phenomenal for us and he’s done a great job as the vice-captain of the franchise. Whenever Rishabh was not available, whenever Rishabh was injured, Axar did step in and play a big role. He’s a jovial fellow, he keeps the dressing room very light.”

“He’s an uncomplicated character and he’s someone who, I think, can do a great job. So we have to take a decision, but I haven’t even spoken to Axar about it. I haven’t spoken to anybody about it, but he’s definitely someone we consider to read the game very well. He’s definitely someone who keeps the dressing room together, which are good characteristics for a leader,” Jindal concluded on Delhi’s captaincy.

The IPL 2025 season will commence on March 14 and the final will take place on May 25.