In one of the most significant player moves ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season, Rishabh Pant has returned to Delhi Capitals (DC) after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) traded the wicketkeeper-batter in exchange for star spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
The IPL confirmed the blockbuster trade on Tuesday, marking Pant’s return to the franchise where he spent the first nine seasons of his IPL career.
Pant Returns to Familiar Territory
Pant represented Delhi Capitals from 2016 to 2024 and became one of the franchise’s most influential players during that period.
He made 111 appearances for the team, the highest by any player in Delhi Capitals history, and captained the side in 43 matches between 2021 and 2024.
After being purchased by LSG for a record ₹27 crore at the IPL 2025 mini auction, Pant now returns to Delhi Capitals on a revised contract valued at ₹15 crore.
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Kuldeep Yadav Heads to Lucknow
As part of the exchange, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will join Lucknow Super Giants at his existing salary of ₹13.5 crore.
Kuldeep enjoyed a productive spell with Delhi Capitals after joining the franchise in 2022. During his tenure, he claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches and established himself as one of the league’s leading wicket-taking bowlers.
LSG Ends Pant Experiment
Pant’s move comes after a difficult two-season stint with Lucknow Super Giants.
Despite being viewed as a long-term investment by the franchise, the team struggled under his leadership. LSG finished seventh in the IPL 2025 season and ended the IPL 2026 campaign at the bottom of the points table.
The franchise secured only four victories and suffered ten defeats in the most recent season.
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Performance Under Scrutiny
Pant’s batting returns also remained below expectations during his time with Lucknow.
He scored 269 runs in 14 matches during the 2025 season and followed it with 312 runs in IPL 2026, registering only one half-century.
With the trade now completed, both franchises will hope the move strengthens their squads ahead of the next IPL campaign.
Writer’s Opinion
News of Rishabh Pant joining the Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2027 comes as no surprise, given the recent buzz on social media suggesting he might reunite with his former IPL team. This speculation was driven by his underwhelming performance both with the bat and as captain during the 2026 season, alongside his hefty IPL fee. Furthermore, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was spotted in heated post-match discussions with Pant on the field with Goenka appearing visibly angry sparking rumors that Pant might voluntarily part ways with the Lucknow franchise. His recent decision to step down as LSG captain further reinforced the likelihood of him joining Delhi.
