DC and LSG complete Pant-Kuldeep trade ahead of IPL 2027

Rishabh Pant has officially completed a move to Delhi Capitals for INR 15 crore, with Kuldeep Yadav heading in the opposite direction to Lucknow Super Giants for INR 13.5 crore. The IPL confirmed the trade through a media advisory, formalising a deal first reported by Cricbuzz on May 29.

The trade, completed less than a month after the conclusion of IPL 2026, marks a return to Delhi Capitals for Pant. The 28-year-old spent nine seasons with the franchise between 2016 and 2024, making 111 appearances - the most by any player for DC. He also captained the side in 43 matches from 2021 to 2024.

Pant had joined Lucknow Super Giants at the 2025 mega auction for a record-breaking INR 27 crore. However, he endured two underwhelming seasons with the bat, scoring 269 and 312 runs respectively. His stint as captain was similarly disappointing, with LSG finishing seventh and 10th in the two seasons under his leadership.

Kuldeep, meanwhile, joins LSG after a productive spell with Delhi Capitals, during which he claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches at an economy rate of 8.24. The left-arm wrist-spinner was retained for a fee of INR 13.25 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction. He also endured a below-par 2026 campaign, picking up only 10 wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.30 an over - the highest of his 10-season IPL career.