Pant’s Coming Home! Rishabh Pant Returns to Delhi Capitals as DC and LSG Complete IPL’s Biggest Trade of 2026

It's official — and cricket Twitter is buzzing. In one of the most significant player trades in recent IPL history, Rishabh Pant is heading back to Delhi Capitals while Kuldeep…

By Reetam Bodhak

June 23, 2026

3 min read

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It’s official — and cricket Twitter is buzzing. In one of the most significant player trades in recent IPL history, Rishabh Pant is heading back to Delhi Capitals while Kuldeep Yadav makes the move to Lucknow Super Giants, with the BCCI formally ratifying the deal ahead of IPL 2027.

Rishabh Pant Trade — Key Details

Detail	Rishabh Pant	Kuldeep Yadav
Moving To	Delhi Capitals (DC)	Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Trade Fee	₹15 Crore	₹13.5 Crore
Previous Fee	₹27 Crore (LSG, 2025 auction)	₹13.5 Crore
Pay Cut	₹12 Crore	None
DC Appearances	111 (most ever for DC)	65 (72 wickets)
IPL 2026 Form	312 runs, 14 games	10 wickets, 11 innings

Why This Trade Makes Sense for Both Teams

Pant’s two-season stint at LSG was, by any measure, a disappointment. As captain, he won just 10 and lost 18 matches — with LSG finishing last in IPL 2026. Two days before the IPL 2026 final, Pant voluntarily stepped down from captaincy. It was clear a reset was needed for both parties.

For DC, this is a homecoming story fans have been waiting for. Pant made 111 appearances for the franchise between 2016 and 2024 — the most by any player in DC’s history — and captained the side across four seasons. He returns now, wiser and hungrier, even if at a reduced fee of ₹15 crore.

The Indian Premier League player trade window allows franchises to exchange retained players before auctions, and this deal is already being called one of the most high-profile trades the format has seen.

For more IPL trade news and cricket updates, visit TechnoSports’ cricket section.

Kuldeep Yadav — A Homecoming of His Own

Kuldeep’s move to LSG is equally poetic. The left-arm wrist spinner, who plays domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh, will now represent the IPL franchise from his home state. Over five seasons at DC (2022–2026), he claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches at an economy of 8.24 — a solid record, though IPL 2026 was a difficult year personally.

Auction Purse Impact

LSG gains ₹13.75 crore in auction purse (Pant’s ₹27 crore outgoing minus Kuldeep’s ₹13.25 crore incoming)
DC loses ₹1.25 crore from their purse to accommodate Pant at ₹15 crore

Stay updated on all IPL 2027 squad moves and auction strategies at TechnoSports.

FAQs

Q: Why did Rishabh Pant take a ₹12 crore pay cut to join DC?

After two disappointing seasons as LSG captain — finishing last in IPL 2026 — Pant chose to return to his original franchise DC at ₹15 crore, accepting the cut for a fresh start in familiar territory.