Pant returns to Delhi as Kuldeep joins Lucknow amid high profile IPL trade

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Jun 23, 2026

Rishabh Pant has officially rejoined Delhi Capitals in a high-profile IPL trade, with Kuldeep Yadav moving to Lucknow Super Giants in exchange.

The Indian Premier League confirmed the deal through a media advisory, formalising a swap that had been reported last month.

Delhi Capitals have secured Pant for INR 15 crore, while Lucknow Super Giants will acquire Kuldeep for INR 13.5 crore.

The move marks a homecoming for Pant, who represented Delhi Capitals from 2016 to 2024. During his first stint with the franchise, the wicketkeeper-batter played 111 matches - the most by any player for the team - and captained the side in 43 games between 2021 and 2024.

Pant had joined Lucknow Super Giants for a record INR 27 crore at the 2025 mega auction, but his two seasons with the franchise failed to meet expectations.

He scored 269 runs in 2025 and 312 runs in 2026, while LSG finished seventh and tenth under his captaincy.

Kuldeep Yadav heads the other way after spending four seasons with Delhi Capitals. The left-arm wrist-spinner enjoyed a successful spell with the franchise, claiming 72 wickets in 65 matches at an economy rate of 8.38.

However, the 2026 season proved difficult for Kuldeep. He managed only 10 wickets and conceded runs at 10.30 runs per over, the highest economy rate of his 10-year IPL career.

The trade, completed less than a month after the end of IPL 2026, sees both franchises make significant changes ahead of the next season.