Pant, Rahul, and Iyer's IPL futures uncertain as retention deadline nears

With just a week left until the IPL retention deadline, the anticipation around players like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer is at an all-time high. As IPL teams weigh critical decisions on retaining players or releasing them to the auction pool, the stakes are significant for franchises looking to secure an advantage before the mega auction.

Rishabh Pant’s future with Delhi Capitals remains uncertain. A recent social media post by Pant – “If I go to the auction, will I be sold or not, and for how much?” – stirred curiosity among fans and franchise officials alike. The GMR and JSW co-owners of Delhi Capitals have not yet committed to Pant’s retention, though insiders say both groups are inclined to keep him unless talks break down completely.

Pant reportedly made some key requests regarding the team’s coaching staff, asking for a former Indian star to be added as mentor or head coach. However, the GMR group had already finalized the appointments of Y Venugopal Rao and Hemang Badani, as they lean towards a less high-profile coaching staff. The change follows the departure of previous coaching names Sourav Ganguly and Ricky Ponting, leaving many to wonder if Rao and Badani can fill the void.

For Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and KL Rahul, a parting seems almost certain. Mentor Zaheer Khan and head coach Justin Langer are reportedly concerned about Rahul’s strike rate, batting order, and leadership style. Rahul, who has recently been vocal about wanting to bat in the middle order, didn’t get his preferred position last season, leading to mutual agreement on his release. 

Sources say that LSG is looking to prioritize younger talent, including uncapped players like Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni, who are expected to be retained. LSG may exercise their Right to Match (RTM) for other players, but an RTM for Rahul is unlikely.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are in a more complex situation with their star Shreyas Iyer. While the management appreciates Iyer’s contributions as captain, they’re evaluating if he should be one of their five permitted retentions. With top players like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Mitchell Starc also in the mix, KKR’s experienced CEO Venky Mysore and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan are exploring whether Iyer might be more suitable for an RTM than a direct retention.

The Gujarat Titans are strengthening their coaching staff with Parthiv Patel stepping in as batting and assistant coach, replacing Mithun Manhas. The team is also scouting for a mentor, following Gary Kirsten’s departure. Although former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Ajay Jadeja were reportedly considered, no final choice has been made yet.

Talent scouting for the IPL has also shifted gears. With no white-ball tournaments before the auction, scouts are attending Ranji Trophy games, hoping to find emerging talents who can thrive in the IPL format.