Rishabh Pant looks set to make a return to Delhi Capitals by way of what could be one of the first key player trades in IPL 2027 as Lucknow Super Giants have agreed to a trade deal for left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Lucknow Super Giants are close to finishing the deal with Pant going back to Delhi Capitals for INR 15 crore, while Kuldeep Yadav goes to Lucknow, per reports. The deal still requires the fulfilment of certain formalities and awaits official approval by the BCCI.
Pant shot into the limelight when, at the IPL 2025 mega auction, LSG bagged him for a world-record price of INR 27 crore making him the most expensive player in IPL history. But after two tough seasons with the franchise, where the wicketkeeper-batter was struggling, he is finally set to return to the team which helped him be among India’s top T20 stars.
The financial aspect of the trade is also expected to influence each team’s budget in the auction. The advantage in purse space for Lucknow will come through the net difference in income between Pant’s previous salary and Kuldeep’s contract, while Delhi Capitals’ purse spending must grow to level up with Pant’s contract.
If completed, Pant will follow in the footsteps of several star players who have agreed to pay-cuts during big name IPL trades. Earlier, in a major trade between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, Ravindra Jadeja also accepted a pay cut.
The franchise cut ties with Pant after a disastrous IPL 2026 season. LSG ended down the table And days ahead of the final, Pant apparently told team management about his decision to relinquish the captaincy. It came as signs bubbled from the franchise decision-makers that a change in direction was one of several options on the table after three straight lackluster seasons.
Pant is yet to reach similar heights during his two years with Luckow as he did with Delta. He had overseen just 10 wins in 28 games as captain. With the bat, he scored 581 runs at an average of 26.4 and strike rate of 135.74 – quite below the standards he had established in T20s.
Possible return to Delhi Capitals would provide Rishabh Pant an opportunity to breathe new lease at the franchise he played for. He led Delhi for 44 matches – winning 24 of them – between 2021 and 2024. In that time, he scored 1,205 runs at an average of 35.44 and a strike rate approaching 144.
Having been with Delhi since they were still called the Delhi Daredevils in 2016, Pant rapidly established himself as one of their most pivotal players. The possible return is similar to Hardik Pandya’s return for the Mumbai Indians, as another significant player returning home to where his IPL career started.
On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav will start an encounter with Lucknow Super Giants. The spinner from Uttar Pradesh will now play for his home state’s IPL team. IPL 2026 turned out to be tough for Kuldeep but he has been one of the most consistent bowlers for Delhi Capitals in the last two seasons, taking 72 wickets in 65 matches since joining the team in 2022.
The deal is likely to be ratified after all formalities are complete and the BCCI gives the green light. If it comes to fruition, this could be one of the biggest headlines of IPL 2027.
