Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has boldly predicted a ₹50 crore price tag for Rishabh Pant at the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Ali’s comments come just days after Pant showcased his batting brilliance against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where he smashed twin half-centuries, scoring 60 and 64 on a challenging surface.
Basit Ali expressed admiration for Pant’s dominance on a pitch where most batters struggled. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ali said, “Rishabh Pant scored 60 in the first innings and 64 in the second. People say he should go for ₹25 crore in the IPL auction. However, I think he should be sold for ₹50 crore. When he batted on this pitch, it seemed like a flat track.”
Rishabh Pant’s performances in the three-Test series against New Zealand were a highlight, as he tallied 261 runs at an average of 43.50, including three half-centuries. However, despite his efforts, India suffered a rare 0-3 whitewash at home against the visitors.
Delhi Capitals made headlines by releasing Pant on the October 31 retention deadline. This move has stirred excitement as he now heads into the auction pool, where he’s expected to trigger a bidding war.
IPL 2025 Mega Auction Likely to Take Place in Riyadh
The IPL 2025 mega auction is anticipated to take place on November 24 or 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, the dates coincide with the first Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia, which will commence at Optus Stadium in Perth.