IPL 2027: Kuldeep Yadav moves to LSG as Rishabh Pant returns to Delhi Capitals
Synopsis
Rishabh Pant returns to Delhi Capitals for ₹15 crore after two underwhelming seasons at Lucknow Super Giants — including a last-place finish in IPL 2026 and stepping down as captain. In exchange, Kuldeep Yadav, who took 72 wickets in 65 DC matches, heads to LSG. It is a trade that resets the fortunes of both franchises ahead of IPL 2027.
Key Takeaways
IPL confirmed a trade between Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants on 23 June ahead of IPL 2027 .
Rishabh Pant rejoins Delhi Capitals for ₹15 crore after two difficult seasons at LSG , where he stepped down as captain mid-2026.
Kuldeep Yadav moves to Lucknow Super Giants at his existing salary of ₹13.5 crore , having taken 72 wickets in 65 matches for DC.
Pant had originally left DC for a record ₹27 crore ahead of IPL 2025; his return fee of ₹15 crore reflects his difficult two-year spell.
Parth Jindal called Kuldeep 'a champion player' in a farewell post on social media.
Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal posted an emotional farewell to Kuldeep Yadav on 23 June as the Indian Premier League (IPL) officially confirmed a high-profile trade that sends the left-arm wrist spinner to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) while bringing wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant back to Delhi ahead of the IPL 2027 season.
The Trade at a Glance
Kuldeep Yadav, who spent five seasons with Delhi Capitals, will move to Lucknow Super Giants at his existing salary of ₹13.5 crore. In the other direction, Rishabh Pant rejoins the franchise he called home for nine seasons, with Delhi paying ₹15 crore for his services. The deal was ratified by the IPL on Tuesday.
Parth Jindal's Tribute to Kuldeep
In a message shared on social media, Jindal paid tribute to Kuldeep's impact at the franchise. 'Dear Kuldeep, thank you for your service over the last five years at Delhi Capitals. You have been a core part of our team, and you will be sorely missed. Go well, you are a champion player, and I am sure you will do extremely well back in your home ground,' he wrote.
The tribute is well-founded. Kuldeep claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches for Delhi Capitals, cementing his reputation as one of the team's most reliable match-winners with the ball. His departure leaves a notable gap in DC's spin attack heading into 2027.
Pant's Homecoming After a Difficult Spell at LSG
Rishabh Pant originally left Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025, joining Lucknow Super Giants for a then-record ₹27 crore — the highest fee ever paid for a player at IPL auction. However, his two seasons with LSG proved difficult. The franchise finished seventh in IPL 2025 and last in IPL 2026, and Pant stepped down as captain before the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.
Notably, Pant had represented Delhi Capitals from 2016 to 2024, making a franchise-record 111 appearances and captaining the side in 43 matches across four seasons. His return is as much a symbolic reset as it is a tactical one.
What Jindal Said About Pant's Return
Welcoming the wicketkeeper-batter back, Jindal wrote: 'Rishabh — Kiran and I are both happy to have you back at DC. Hope you can find your best form back home in Delhi.' The message signals that Delhi Capitals are banking on familiar surroundings to revive Pant's form ahead of what will be a critical season for the franchise.
What This Means for Both Franchises
Delhi Capitals acquire a proven match-winner and crowd favourite in Pant, though his recent form and the circumstances of his LSG exit will invite scrutiny. For Lucknow Super Giants, landing Kuldeep — among the most potent wrist-spin options in the league — could address a bowling deficiency that contributed to their bottom-place finish in 2026. Both franchises have until the start of the IPL 2027 season to build around their new acquisitions.
Point of View
Not just a homecoming. The harder question is whether a change of franchise alone restores his form, or whether deeper issues with his batting consistency remain unaddressed. For LSG, acquiring Kuldeep is a rational bowling upgrade, but it does not fix the structural batting fragility that left them at the foot of the table in 2026. Both franchises are betting on nostalgia and familiarity — a strategy that has mixed returns in T20 cricket.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rishabh Pant return to Delhi Capitals for IPL 2027?
Rishabh Pant rejoined Delhi Capitals as part of an IPL-confirmed trade with Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the 2027 season. Pant had endured two difficult years at LSG — including a last-place finish in IPL 2026 and stepping down as captain — prompting the franchise swap.
How much did Delhi Capitals pay to bring Rishabh Pant back?
Delhi Capitals will pay ₹15 crore for Rishabh Pant under the trade deal. This compares with the record ₹27 crore Lucknow Super Giants paid for him ahead of IPL 2025.
What were Kuldeep Yadav's stats at Delhi Capitals?
Kuldeep Yadav claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches during his five seasons with Delhi Capitals, making him one of the franchise's most dependable bowlers. He moves to Lucknow Super Giants at his existing salary of ₹13.5 crore.
What did Parth Jindal say about Kuldeep Yadav's departure?
Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal posted a farewell message on social media calling Kuldeep 'a champion player' and thanking him for five years of service. Jindal said Kuldeep would be 'sorely missed' and expressed confidence he would excel at LSG.
How many matches did Rishabh Pant play for Delhi Capitals before leaving?
Rishabh Pant made a franchise-record 111 appearances for Delhi Capitals between 2016 and 2024, captaining the side in 43 matches across four seasons before moving to Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2025.
