Although there is still considerable time before IPL 2027 begins, a major trade has created a stir in the cricketing world. In a significant player swap between Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant is set to return to his former team, Delhi Capitals, while star spinner Kuldeep Yadav will don the Lucknow Super Giants jersey.
The biggest talking point of this trade is Rishabh Pant's salary. He will join Delhi for ₹15 crore; in contrast, his salary at Lucknow was a record ₹27 crore. Lucknow had acquired him for a record ₹25 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, making him the most expensive player in IPL history at the time. Although Lucknow had appointed him captain, they released him following poor performances over the last two seasons—a move similar to how they parted ways with former captain KL Rahul.
Rishabh Pant has taken a massive ₹12 crore pay cut to return to Delhi. Meanwhile, as part of this swap, Lucknow has added Kuldeep to their squad for ₹13.5 crore. Pant could also be handed the Delhi captaincy; Axar Patel had been leading the team for the past two seasons, but the team's performance had been lackluster.
🚨 Announcement 🚨
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 23, 2026
Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav complete high-profile trade between @DelhiCapitals and @LucknowIPL.
Rishabh Pant all set to rejoin #DC at INR 15 Crore whereas Kuldeep Yadav will join #LSG at INR 13.5 Crore.
More Details ▶️ https://t.co/64HeOX143I… pic.twitter.com/tIEvj7fgNo
Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav IPL 2027 salaries
| Player | Moving From | Moving To | IPL 2027 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant | Lucknow Super Giants | Delhi Capitals | ₹15.00 Crore(down from ₹27 Cr) |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Delhi Capitals | Lucknow Super Giants | ₹13.50 Crore (unaltered) |
Rishabh Pant has shared a very special bond with Delhi Capitals
Rishabh Pant has shared a very special bond with the Delhi Capitals. He began his IPL journey with Delhi as a young player and later went on to captain the team. He was part of the franchise for nine consecutive seasons—from 2016 to 2024—playing 111 matches, the highest tally for any player representing Delhi. Pant also captained the team in 43 matches across four seasons between 2021 and 2024. Thanks to his aggressive batting and leadership qualities, he remained the face of the Delhi team for a long time.
After making his comeback following a car accident and injury, he had joined the Lucknow Super Giants, but now he is reuniting with Delhi. For Delhi fans, this will be nothing short of an emotional homecoming. Pant has spent many memorable moments of his IPL career with this franchise.
Kuldeep Yadav ipl 2027
Kuldeep Yadav has had a magnificent journey with Delhi Capitals. Since joining the team in 2022, he has played 65 matches and claimed 72 wickets across five seasons. During this period, he has established himself as one of the most effective wicket-taking spinners in the IPL; his wrist spin and ability to take wickets in the middle overs have won Delhi numerous matches. Now, this world-class spinner is set to join Lucknow Super Giants at his current fee of ₹13.50 crore.
Kuldeep has delivered outstanding performances in both the IPL and international cricket over the past few years. His knack for taking wickets in the middle overs could add a new dimension to Lucknow's bowling line-up. He could prove to be a formidable challenge for opposing batters, especially on spin-friendly grounds like the Ekana Stadium.
What is special about this thread?
This trade is not merely an exchange of players; it signals a major strategic shift for both franchises. Delhi has made a bold move—whether driven by sentiment or cricketing logic—by bringing back their former star and captain, while Lucknow has bolstered its spin attack by acquiring a world-class bowler like Kuldeep Yadav. This trade has altered the landscape of the league ahead of IPL 2027, and all eyes will now be on how much Pant’s return and Kuldeep’s fresh start benefit their respective teams. Notably, two former captains—Rahul and Pant—who were released by Lucknow will now be seen playing together for Delhi.
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