Rishabh Pant has broken the record of Gautam Gambhir for scoring most runs in a season of IPL for Delhi Daredevils. Pant has achieved this record in the ongoing season of IPL and still has two more matches left, which will give him a chance to extend the lead over Gambhir. In 12 matches played in IPL 2018, Pant has scored 582 runs so far. Gambhir, in 2008, had scored 534 runs for the franchise.
This is Pant’s third season with Delhi Daredevils. He was bought by the franchise for Rs 1.9 Crore in IPL auction 2016 and was not released before IPL 2017. Before IPL 2018 auction, the team decided to retain Pant for the amount of Rs 15 Crore. (He was paid Rs 8 Crore while Rs 15 Crore were deducted from team’s purse). He repaid the faith shown on him and has already become highest run-scorer for Delhi Daredevils in one season of IPL. He is also the holder of Orange Cap in ongoing IPL season.
However despite his heroics, Delhi Daredevils embarrassingly knocked out of the play off race, as other batsmen and bowlers have had an impact on team’s performance. Delhi Daredevils have been unable to find a suitable opening combination till now; which is one of the major reasons for their poor form. In fact, they also became the first team to be eliminated from IPL 2018.