Rishabh Pant Returns to Delhi Capitals, Kuldeep Yadav Joins Lucknow Super Giants in Major IPL Trade

NEW DELHI: As first reported by TimesofIndia.com last week, former Rishabh Pant will return to Delhi Capitals for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season. The IPL confirmed the move on Tuesday, with Pant agreeing to a salary of Rs 15 crore, Rs 12 crore less than the record Rs 27 crore deal he received when he was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the 2025 season.

"Former Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant is set for a return to Delhi Capitals (DC), while Kuldeep Yadav will join Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), following one of the most significant player trades in recent IPL history," IPL said in a press release.

Pant returns to the franchise where he spent nine seasons between 2016 and 2024. During that period, he played 111 matches for Delhi Capitals, the highest by any player for the franchise. He also led the team in 43 matches across four seasons from 2021 to 2024. At the IPL 2025 auction, Pant was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 27 crore, the highest bid in IPL history. Following the latest trade, he moves back to Delhi Capitals for Rs 15 crore.

As part of the swap, Kuldeep Yadav joins Lucknow Super Giants after spending five seasons with Delhi Capitals. Since joining DC in 2022, the left-arm wrist spinner picked up 72 wickets in 65 matches and became one of the team's key bowlers. The IPL release stated that Kuldeep will move to Lucknow at his existing salary of Rs 13.50 crore.

Pant had captained Delhi Capitals for four seasons before being released ahead of the 2025 auction. He later took charge of Lucknow Super Giants but stepped down as captain after the 2026 season. Lucknow endured a difficult IPL 2026 campaign, finishing at the bottom of the table with four wins from 14 matches.