Rishabh Pant set for Delhi Capitals return as Kuldeep Yadav heads to LSG in landmark IPL 2027 trade

Rishabh Pant is on the verge of a sensational return to Delhi Capitals in what is set to be the first trade ahead of IPL 2027. Lucknow Super Giants are likely to release the wicketkeeper-batter to his former franchise and bring in spinner Kuldeep Yadav from DC in return — a high-profile swap that has dominated the early days of the trade window.

Both franchises are understood to be finalising the formalities, with the deal still requiring ratification from the BCCI and the IPL before it can be confirmed.

A homecoming for Pant

For Pant, the move represents a return to the franchise where his IPL story began. He spent nine seasons at Delhi, becoming one of the fifth-youngest captains in IPL history after being appointed in 2021, before opting to be released ahead of the 2025 mega auction.

His return mirrors the kind of homecoming seen elsewhere in the league, bringing an explosive wicketkeeper-batter and an experienced leader back into the DC set-up at a time when the franchise is entering a new chapter under Parth Jindal-led JSW, who will control the team for the next two years.

The financial details

Pant became the most expensive buy in IPL history when LSG acquired him for INR 27 crore at the 2025 mega auction. As part of this trade, he is set to move to DC for a reduced INR 15 crore, taking a substantial pay cut.

That makes Pant the second big-name player to accept a reduced salary as part of a trade. On the purse front, LSG are understood to gain around INR 13.75 crore — the difference between Pant's outgoing salary and Kuldeep's incoming one — while DC see a small deduction to accommodate Pant's new figure.

A difficult LSG chapter

Pant's time at Lucknow Super Giants was a struggle on both fronts. Across two seasons as captain he managed 10 wins against 18 defeats, while his batting returns dipped well below his usual standards — 581 runs at an average of 26.4 and a strike rate of 135.74.

The franchise finished bottom of the table in IPL 2026 after languishing in seventh the season before. Even before the campaign ended, Pant stepped down as captain, a decision the franchise accepted as it looked to reset its leadership.

What Kuldeep brings to LSG

For Lucknow, the incoming Kuldeep Yadav adds a proven match-winner to their spin attack. The left-arm wristspinner had been a key figure for Delhi since 2022, claiming 72 wickets in 65 games at an economy of 8.24.

There is an added layer of significance to the move: Kuldeep hails from Uttar Pradesh and has played his domestic cricket for the state, giving him a natural connection to the Lucknow-based franchise. LSG will be hopeful that the spin-friendly conditions at the Ekana Stadium can help him rediscover his best after a leaner IPL 2026.

The final word

Should the trade clear its final approvals, it will reshape the look of both squads heading into IPL 2027 — restoring a fan-favourite leader to Delhi and handing Lucknow a world-class spinner. With formalities still pending, all eyes now turn to the BCCI and IPL for the official green light.