India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in Indian Premier League(IPL) history after he was sold to Lucknow Super Giants for INR 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction on Sunday. Pant’s incredible success story since his nearly fatal road accident on 30th December 2022, is one that is sure to inspire people even beyond the cricketing world.
With his grit and determination, Pant has resumed being an absolute match-winner for Team India and a rockstar entertainer with his audacious shots. In fact, his importance has further increased since his return post recovery from the accident.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant Strikes Gold, Sold To LSG For Rs 27 Crore In The Mega Auction
What happened on December 30, 2022
On the unfortunate day, Pant met with a horrible accident on the Delhi-Dehradun highway while going home in his Mercedes car ahead of the start of new year. He suffered several life-threatening injuries and took more than a year to recover and make a comeback to cricket.
Incredible return to cricket
The left-handed batter marked his return to cricket during IPL 2024 as the skipper of Delhi Capitals. In IPL 2024, he proved the doubters wrong by performing both as a batter and as a leader. Under his captaincy, Delhi won seven out of 14 matches, coming very close to entering the play-offs. As a batter, Pant was the 12th highest run-getter in IPL 2024, scoring 446 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.55.
How Pant became most expensive IPL player during the auction
During the IPL 2025 auction, former Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer got sold to Punjab Kings for INR 26.75 crore, thus, becoming the most expensive buy in the T20 game’s history.
However, minutes later, Pant’s bidding started. It was a complete thriller in the making as the franchises got into a contest to get the left-handed batter as their prized possession. Pant’s price kept rising with every new bid. With Lucknow,Hyderabad and Bengaluru loosening their purses for him, it was Lucknow which got Pant for INR 20.75 crore. However, there was a twist in the tale as Delhi used the Right-To-Match card in a bid to get the star wicket-keeper batter. But Lucknow went all guns blazing and raised the bid to INR 27 crore. It was too much for the other franchises and Pant went to Lucknow.
Pant’s record in the IPL
In 111 IPL matches, the left-handed batter has scored 3284 runs at good average of 35.31. He has slammed one century and 18 half-centuries in the marquee tournament.
