Potential bidding war for Rishabh Pant in IPL auction: Could fetch INR 30 crore if DC lets him go, with RCB in need of a keeper

Aakash Chopra, former India opener, recently criticized Rishabh Pant's IPL performance, stating that his impressive talent is not reflected in his statistics. However, he also predicted that if Pant were to enter the auction, he would earn a lucrative contract due to his potential.

"It's being heard that Rishabh Pant might be available at the auction. Although the jury is out, many people say his numbers in T20s are not that good, had only one breakthrough season in the IPL and hasn't scored too many runs apart from that, I can give you in writing that the bank would be broken if his name comes in the auction," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Chopra has also dissected the options for Pant and suggested that teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings will go after him all guns blazing in the auction.

"RCB need a keeper, a batter, and maybe a captain. Punjab would need him as they won't have anyone. Delhi would need him back, the RTM card would be available. KKR also need him. What about CSK, they would also need him. If Ishan Kishan is left out, Mumbai would also need him," Chopra added.

Chopra made an outlandish claim that the bidding war between the franchises will reach INR 25-30 crore, as every other team will look to acquire his services, apart from Rajasthan Royals.

"Why would LSG not be interested even if they retain Nicholas Pooran? Everyone apart from Rajasthan would need him. Gujarat will also need him. They don't have a keeper. So overall, Rishabh Pant will get a lot of money. He might go for 25-30 crores," he observed.