Rishabh Pant is set to return to the Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2027 in a historic trade deal with the Lucknow Super Giants, and captain Axar Patel has warmly welcomed the move, assuring the senior wicketkeeper-batter of complete freedom to play his natural game without added pressure.

The Trade Deal

In what is being described as a landmark swap between two franchises, Pant — who was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the mega auction ahead of IPL 2025 for a record ₹27 crore — will return to Delhi Capitals (DC) for ₹15 crore. In the same exchange, spinner Kuldeep Yadav will move to LSG for his existing fee of ₹13.5 crore.

Axar Patel's Welcome Message

Delhi Capitals shared a video on their official channels in which Axar Patel spoke candidly about his bond with Pant and what the reunion means for the team.

'When he was here before, he was my captain, and he was leading me. At that time, we didn't have anything like 'I am the captain, I will tell you this and that'. We used to work in mutual understanding. He knows that he is a senior player, and I know that I am a senior player. We had a mutual understanding of what he can do best in a particular situation and what he can't,' Patel said.

He added: 'As a friend and as a captain, I will tell him that he knows that he doesn't have any extra pressure from me or from the franchise. This is his own house; he has played here for many years. Delhi is his home, so I don't have to say much to him. I just know that he will get full freedom as a captain from my side.'

Patel signed off with an uplifting message for his returning teammate: 'Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy your character. Form is temporary, class is permanent. You are a player of that category. You have full freedom from our side. Just play your game and enjoy.'

Pant's History with Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant spent nine seasons with DC between 2016 and 2024, making 111 appearances — the most by any player for the franchise. He captained the side in 43 matches across four seasons from 2021 to 2024, cementing his status as one of the franchise's most defining figures.

A Difficult Stint at LSG

Pant's two seasons at LSG were turbulent. The franchise finished seventh in IPL 2025 and last in IPL 2026. Even before the IPL 2026 season concluded, Pant stepped down as LSG's captain — a decision the franchise accepted. As captain at LSG, he managed 10 wins against 18 defeats.

Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, departs DC after five seasons during which he claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches, establishing himself as one of the tournament's most effective wicket-takers. With Pant back at his home ground, all eyes will be on whether the reunion can reignite both the player and the franchise ahead of IPL 2027.