IPL Auction 2020: 3 teams who could have availed Rishabh Pant's services in 2016

In just 54 IPL matches, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has already scored 1736 runs, holding record for highest IPL score by an Indian (128*) and effecting 44 dismissals behind stumps. He has worked hard to reverse Delhi Capitals' fortunes and in 2019 season - team finally reached playoffs for first time since 2012. A player who is often touted as successor to MS Dhoni, Pant's journey to Delhi Capitals was t easy. Here are three teams who could have purchased Pant in 2016 Auctions.

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Mumbai Indians

four-time champions were on quest for ir third championship win as y bid for Pant at 2016 Auction. While Mumbai did take Pant's bid past Rs. 1 crore mark, y did t bid for him any furr. Even if Pant was purchased by Mumbai Indians, he would have probably t gotten success that he got for Delhi Capitals since Mumbai already had Parthiv Patel and Ambati Rayudu in ir ranks and Pant could have struggled for getting more playing time.

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Rising Pune Supergiant

2016 Auction was an opportunity for n newly-formed Supergiants to make an identity for mselves. team already has MS Dhoni in its arsenal and also began to bid for young Rishabh Pant, getting into an intense bidding war with Mumbai Indians. team soon withdrew its continually increasing bids and left its pursuit for Pant. Pune team did have a very stacked up roster in 2016. So even if y purchased Rishabh Pant, he probably would t have gotten a chance to play for m as well, much like Parthiv Patel struggled for during his time at Chennai Super Kings.

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Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore were about to have a magical 2016 as Virat Kohli would smash four centuries and carry m to finals. However, during 2016 Auction, RCB was busy building itself yet ar promising line-up. As RPS vs MI bidding war simmered down, RCB placed ir bid to avail Pant's services but could t entertain competition from Delhi Capitals as y entered fight at very last minute. DC's bid won and Pant became a part of Delhi squad. Pant's influence can only be fathomed with this, i.e. while DC bought him for a sum of Rs. 1.9 crore in 2016, y retained him for a sum of Rs. 15 crore ahead of IPL 2020.

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