Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant is set for a return to Delhi Capitals (DC), while Kuldeep Yadav will join Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), following one of the most significant player trades in recent IPL history.
Pant returns to the franchise where he spent nine seasons between 2016 and 2024, making 111 appearances – the most by any player for DC. One of the defining faces of the franchise for nearly a decade, he also captained the side in 43 matches across four seasons from 2021 to 2024.
At the 2025 auction, Pant was acquired by LSG for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore – the highest winning bid in IPL history. Following the trade, he will rejoin DC at a revised fee of Rs 15 crore.
Kuldeep joins LSG after a highly successful spell with Delhi Capitals lasting five seasons. Since arriving at the franchise in 2022, the left-arm wrist spinner has claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches and established himself as one of the most effective wicket-taking bowlers in the tournament.
One of India's premier white-ball bowlers, Kuldeep will join LSG at his existing fee of Rs 13.50 crore.
Pant has struggled to live up to expectations over the past two seasons.
The wicketkeeper-batter registered just three fifty-plus scores in his last 28 innings, including one century and two half-centuries. In IPL 2025, he scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16.
His form showed little improvement in IPL 2026, where he managed 312 runs at an average of 28.36 with a strike rate of 138.05. Following the season, he also stepped down as captain of the franchise.
