Dinesh Karthik’s retirement has left a serious void in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeping department ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. There would undoubtedly be serious contenders for this particular position, but with Rishabh pants And KL Rahul Being released by Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday, the Bengaluru-based franchise might be wondering who will be able to replace Karthik.

While Rahul was part of the RCB setup during its initial days, Pant has played for Delhi Capitals all his life in the IPL. In fact, the 27-year-old is also linked with Chennai Super Kings as a potential successor to MS Dhoni who is in the twilight of his career at 43 years old.

Dale Steyn was asked who he thinks among Pant and Rahul would suit Karthik’s role at RCB. Although the former South Africa pacer felt Pant would be the ideal fit, he said Rahul would be ahead of his peers. He said it would be a “dogfight” at the auction.

“I would probably go with KL Rahul to be honest. It’s going to be a dogfight over who goes where and who has the money,” Steyn told a Star Sports programme. “These auctions sometimes end with someone having a little more money and wanting to upset so one team doesn’t get another one. We haven’t even seen it, but we will at some point.

“But if you look at Pant, he is a fantastic left-hander and on the small pitch at Chinnaswamy (stadium), he would fit in perfectly. But I think the hometown boy and the rumors I hear, he There must be some smoke around that,” said Steyn, who had played for RCB.

Karthik’s record at RCB

One of the most dangerous batters in the middle order, Karthik played 60 matches for RCB in the IPL and scored 937 runs. In fact, Karthik is the third highest run-getter for RCB among Indians behind Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid. Karthik also took 36 catches and nine runs behind the wickets during his time at RCB.

In addition to his keeper duties, Karthik was a handy hitter in the death overs with his range of big shots all around the park. RCB’s match against Rajasthan Royals IPL 2024 Eliminator was Karthik’s last in the cash-rich league.