In a landmark player trade confirmed by the Indian Premier League (IPL) on June 23, 2026, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant has been traded to Delhi Capitals (DC) at a revised salary of Rs 15 crore, while Delhi spinner Kuldeep Yadav will move to LSG retaining his existing fee of Rs 13.50 crore. The exchange marks one of the most significant player movements in recent IPL history.
Pant's Return to Delhi Capitals
Pant returns to the franchise where he spent nine seasons between 2016 and 2024, making 111 appearances — the most by any player for DC. He also captained the side in 43 matches across four seasons from 2021 to 2024, becoming one of the defining faces of the franchise for nearly a decade.
At the TATA IPL 2025 Player 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, as per the IPL statement.
Kuldeep Yadav's Move to LSG
Kuldeep joins LSG after a highly successful five-season spell with Delhi Capitals. Since arriving at the franchise in 2022, the left-arm wrist spinner has claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches, establishing 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, the IPL confirmed.
Performance and Expectations
The trade had been widely anticipated following earlier reports indicating a potential exchange between the two franchises after the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season. Pant, who was picked up by Lucknow for a record Rs 27 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, struggled to justify his price tag over the past two seasons. The wicketkeeper-batter managed only 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 did not see a significant improvement in IPL 2026 either, as he accumulated 312 runs at an average of 28.36 with a strike rate of 138.05. Following the season, he also stepped down from the captaincy role.
The high-profile trade marks a major reshuffle ahead of the next year's IPL season, with both franchises looking to strengthen their squads. Pant's return to DC is expected to bolster their batting lineup, while Kuldeep's addition to LSG adds depth to their spin attack.
