Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav exchange franchises in high-profile deal ahead of IPL 2027

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In one of the biggest transfer moves ahead of IPL 2027, Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have completed a high-profile player swap involving Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav. The Indian Premier League confirmed the trade through an official media advisory, with Pant returning to Delhi Capitals for INR 15 crore, while Kuldeep joins Lucknow Super Giants for INR 13.5 crore.

The deal, finalized less than a month after the conclusion of IPL 2026, sees Pant reunite with the franchise where he built his reputation as one of India’s most exciting cricketers. For LSG, the acquisition of Kuldeep strengthens their spin department as they look to bounce back from a disappointing campaign.

Pant’s return to Delhi Capitals marks the beginning of a new chapter with a team that played a major role in his rise to stardom. The wicketkeeper-batter represented the franchise from 2016 to 2024 and became one of its most influential players during that period.

Across nine seasons, Pant featured in 111 matches for Delhi Capitals, the highest by any player in the franchise’s history. He was also entrusted with leadership responsibilities, captaining the side in 43 matches between 2021 and 2024. His aggressive batting style and fearless approach made him a fan favorite in the capital.

In 2025, Pant made headlines when Lucknow Super Giants secured his services for a record-breaking INR 27 crore at the mega auction. Expectations were sky-high, but his stint with the franchise did not unfold as hoped.

The left-handed batter struggled to produce consistent performances over the next two seasons, scoring 269 runs in IPL 2025 and 312 runs in IPL 2026. While there were flashes of brilliance, he was unable to replicate the impact he had enjoyed during his peak years with Delhi.

The team’s fortunes under his captaincy were also disappointing. LSG finished seventh in 2025 and slipped further to 10th place in 2026, leading to growing speculation about changes within the franchise.

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While Pant heads back to familiar surroundings, Kuldeep will be hoping a change of environment helps revive his IPL fortunes. The left-arm wrist-spinner enjoyed a successful spell with Delhi Capitals after joining the franchise in 2022. During his time with DC, he emerged as one of the team’s most dependable bowlers, claiming 72 wickets in 65 matches while maintaining an economy rate of 8.38.

Recognizing his value, Delhi retained Kuldeep for INR 13.25 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction. However, the 2026 season proved difficult for the spinner. He managed only 10 wickets and conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.30 per over, the highest of his decade-long IPL career.

Despite that dip in form, Kuldeep remains one of India’s premier white-ball spinners, and LSG will be optimistic that he can rediscover his best form in new surroundings.

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