While Rishabh Pant made his debut appearance at the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai, MS Dhoni chose to skip the event, despite being present in the city.
While Mahendra Singh Dhoni might have been absent from the IPL 2024 auction alongside the Chennai Super Kings contingent, he remained present in Dubai, closely observing the events. After the auction concluded, on Tuesday, Dhoni, engaged in a game of pickleball with Rishabh Pant, the captain of Delhi Capitals, on a water-floating court.
Pant made his inaugural appearance at the auction, accompanied by DC owners, coach Ricky Ponting, and mentor Sourav Ganguly.
Pant said before the auction. “It is something new and exciting. I haven’t been a part of the auction process before. I am looking forward to it,”
He actively participated in advocating for the franchise to acquire players for his team at the auction. Subsequently, he was observed relishing a game of pickleball with Dhoni by the waterfront.
MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant playing tennis after IPL auction in Dubai. https://t.co/ZfynaAwdjI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 20, 2023
Recently, Dhoni and Pant have been socializing at various gatherings for the past few months. A photograph capturing the duo, accompanied by Dhoni’s wife Sakshi and their friends, became widely circulated after a Mumbai party earlier this month.
Last month, Pant joined Dhoni and his family in Dubai to celebrate Diwali, and Sakshi shared a picture of the celebration on social media.
Soon in the IPL, Pant vs. Dhoni
Pant is presently recuperating from the injuries sustained in a dreadful car crash on New Year’s Day, during his journey from Delhi to Dehradun.
After a period of inactivity, he is expected to recover in time to lead Delhi in the IPL 2024. “Whether he is in a keeping role or not, he will certainly be present on the field and assume leadership,” remarked a DC official, as reported by Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, Dhoni is set to lead the Chennai Super Kings once more in the upcoming season. Having secured the IPL title for a fifth time this year, he aims to further augment that achievement in the 2024 season.