Kuldeep Yadav Set for Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant Likely to Return to Delhi Capitals
Quick Look
- Spinner Kuldeep Yadav is reportedly set to join Lucknow Super Giants for IPL 2027, while Rishabh Pant is likely to return to Delhi Capitals.
- Pant stepped down as LSG captain after two disappointing seasons.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Player transfers and team restructuring are common in the Indian Premier League. Rishabh Pant had a challenging tenure with LSG, while Kuldeep Yadav revived his career with Delhi Capitals.
File photo of Kuldeep Yadav (L) and Rishabh Pant (R) during IPL 2026.
New Delhi: India spinner Kuldeep Yadav is all set to turn out for Lucknow Super Giants in the 2027 edition of the Indian Premier League, TimesofIndia.com has learnt. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant could make a return to Delhi Capitals as well. With momentum gathering on both those deals, how the technicalities unfold remains to be seen but Pant is very likely to return 'home'. TimesofIndia.com reached out to LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka for a comment and the story will be updated when he responds. Pant, who became the league's most expensive player when LSG acquired him for Rs 27 crore ahead of IPL 2025, had forgettable outings for the franchise in the last two campaigns and stepped down as skipper after the 2026 edition. He scored 269 runs in 2025 and could only slightly improve the tally to 312 this season. The team finished seventh last year and a disappointing tenth this season. “Rishabh approached the franchise with his request and we have respectfully accepted it. These decisions are never easy. We are grateful for everything Rishabh has brought to this dressing room as captain. Our focus now is on the collective - rebuilding and restructuring to reach the best standards," LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody had said regarding Pant stepping down as captain. Will he return as DC captain? It is still early days and the franchise will likely have more discussions on this front in the coming days. KL Rahul is emerging as a strong choice for management, but no decision has been made regarding this. As far as Kuldeep is concerned, DC retained him for Rs 13.25 crore ahead of IPL 2025. He had been with the franchise since 2022 and revived his international career with successful outings in the cash-rich league. His first season was the best for the franchise to date, as he returned with 21 wickets from 14 games and followed it up with 10, 16, 15 and 10 wickets each in the subsequent editions.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Rishabh Pant will return to Delhi Capitals.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Rishabh Pant captain Delhi Capitals?
- What will be the final transfer fees?
- How will LSG rebuild after Pant's departure?
