The IPL 2027 trade window has its first blockbuster deal. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants have completed a big player swap. Rishabh Pant returns to Delhi Capitals. Kuldeep Yadav moves to Lucknow Super Giants. The league confirmed the trade through an official media advisory, and fans across India are already talking about it.
This is a homecoming story for Rishabh Pant. He spent nine seasons with Delhi Capitals from 2016 to 2024. He played 111 matches for the team. That is the most by any player for the franchise. He also led the side in 43 matches between 2021 and 2024. Now he is back at a revised fee of INR 15 crore, and the Delhi crowd is ready to welcome its hero.
For Lucknow Super Giants, the deal brings a proven wicket taker. Kuldeep Yadav claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches for Delhi Capitals. He joins at his existing fee of INR 13.50 crore. One smart trade has fixed a key gap for both teams before the IPL 2027 retention deadline.
Rishabh Pant Kuldeep Yadav Trade Details
The full details of the swap are now clear. Rishabh Pant moves from Lucknow Super Giants to Delhi Capitals for INR 15 crore. Kuldeep Yadav moves from Delhi Capitals to Lucknow Super Giants for INR 13.50 crore. The IPL 2027 trade news first came through a Cricbuzz report on May 29. The league then made the deal official with a media advisory. This is the first major trade of the window, and more deals are expected before the retention deadline.
The table above shows the complete picture of the deal. Both players move at fees that suit the purse plans of the two teams. Delhi Capitals get batting firepower. Lucknow Super Giants get spin quality.
| Trade Detail | Rishabh Pant | Kuldeep Yadav |
|---|---|---|
| Moving From | Lucknow Super Giants | Delhi Capitals |
| Moving To | Delhi Capitals | Lucknow Super Giants |
| Trade Fee | INR 15 crore | INR 13.50 crore |
| Player Role | Wicketkeeper Batter | Left Arm Wrist Spinner |
| IPL 2026 Performance | 312 runs with the bat | 10 wickets with the ball |
Why Delhi Capitals Brought Rishabh Pant Home
The new head coach gave the reason behind the move. Sourav Ganguly now leads Delhi Capitals. He spoke about the trade in a video on the official Delhi Capitals YouTube channel. The team needed a middle order batter. Rishabh Pant fits the role perfectly.
Ganguly has watched Rishabh Pant from close range for many years. He knows what the left hander can do on his day. “We needed a middle-order batter and Pant fits it perfectly. He was with us and he played well for us,” Ganguly said. He also spoke about the home ground factor, which matters a lot in the IPL. “You know he enjoys batting at the Feroz Shah Kotla (Arun Jaitley Stadium) in Delhi and hopefully we will see the best of Pant in the years to come in the Delhi shirt,” he added.
The fans will love this move. Rishabh Pant started his IPL journey with Delhi Capitals in 2016. He grew into a star with the team. His fearless batting made him a fan favourite. His return brings emotion, experience and energy to the dressing room.
The INR 27 Crore to INR 15 Crore Story
The money part of this story is stunning. Lucknow Super Giants bought Rishabh Pant for INR 27 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. That was the highest winning bid in the history of the league. No player had ever attracted such a big bid before.
Two seasons later, Delhi Capitals have brought him back for INR 15 crore. That is a drop of INR 12 crore in value. It shows how fast things can change in the IPL. Form, fitness and team results decide the price of a player. The market is honest, and it is brutal.
Two Difficult Seasons in Lucknow
The Lucknow chapter did not work out for Rishabh Pant. He scored 269 runs in IPL 2025 and 312 runs in IPL 2026. Both seasons were far below his best. For a player of his talent, those numbers tell a sad story.
The captaincy record was also poor. Lucknow Super Giants finished seventh in 2025 and tenth in 2026. Rishabh Pant stepped down as captain before the end of the 2026 season. The franchise accepted his decision with respect. As captain of Lucknow Super Giants, he won 10 matches and lost 18 matches. A change was needed for both sides.
Why Lucknow Super Giants Wanted Kuldeep Yadav
Every strong team needs a quality spinner. Kuldeep Yadav is one of the finest white ball spinners in India. He took 72 wickets in 65 matches for Delhi Capitals at an economy rate of 8.24. Over five seasons, he was one of the most reliable bowlers for the team. His wrong one has troubled the best batters in the world.
The 2026 season was tough for him. He picked up only 10 wickets. His economy rate touched 10.30. That was the highest of his ten season IPL career. But one bad season does not define a champion. Lucknow Super Giants will back his class and his experience. A new team and a new role can bring back his best form. He can lead the spin attack for the team in IPL 2027.
The team management will also like his big match temperament. Kuldeep Yadav has played for India in all formats. He knows how to handle pressure. In the middle overs, he can break partnerships. That skill is gold in T20 cricket.
What the Trade Means for IPL 2027
Delhi Capitals Squad for 2027 Looks Strong
Delhi Capitals have made a clear statement with this trade. They want their old hero back in the side. Rishabh Pant knows the team culture. He knows the home ground. He has the love of the Delhi fans. With Sourav Ganguly as head coach, the team has strong leadership at the top.
The middle order now has experience and firepower. Rishabh Pant can keep wickets and finish games. He can also guide young batters in the squad. The Delhi Capitals squad for 2027 is taking good shape before the mini auction. The team will now look for the right support players in Goa.
Lucknow Super Giants Get Balance and a Fresh Start
Lucknow Super Giants have closed the Rishabh Pant chapter with grace. Now the team can build around new leaders. Kuldeep Yadav adds real quality to the bowling unit. His presence gives the captain more options in the middle overs.
The team is also sorting out the leadership question. Aiden Markram has opened up on taking up the Lucknow Super Giants captaincy in IPL 2027. With a new captain and a world class spinner, the team can start fresh. The fans in Lucknow will hope for a much better season.
The Countdown to the IPL 2027 Retention Deadline
The trade window is still open, and more action is coming. The IPL 2027 retention deadline is November 15, 2026. All ten franchises must submit the final list of retained and released players by that date. The trade window will close one week before the auction.
The IPL 2027 mini auction will take place in Goa in mid December. It will be the final mini auction of the 2023-27 cycle. After three overseas auctions in Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi, the event returns to India. Teams will fight for the remaining gaps in their squads.
More trades will come in the next few weeks. Every franchise is studying its squad with care. The Hardik Pandya trade talk is also getting strong across the league. Fans can track every confirmed deal in the IPL 2027 trade tracker. Fans can expect more big news before November 15. The road to Goa has just started, and the drama has already begun.
FAQ
What is the Rishabh Pant Kuldeep Yadav trade?
Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants completed a player swap ahead of IPL 2027. Rishabh Pant moved from Lucknow Super Giants to Delhi Capitals for INR 15 crore. Kuldeep Yadav moved from Delhi Capitals to Lucknow Super Giants for INR 13.50 crore. The IPL confirmed the deal through an official media advisory.
For how much did Delhi Capitals buy back Rishabh Pant?
Delhi Capitals brought back Rishabh Pant for INR 15 crore at a revised fee. Lucknow Super Giants had bought him for a record INR 27 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. That was the highest winning bid in the history of the league.
Why did Rishabh Pant leave Lucknow Super Giants?
Rishabh Pant had two poor seasons with Lucknow Super Giants. He scored 269 runs in IPL 2025 and 312 runs in IPL 2026. The team finished seventh and tenth in the two seasons. He stepped down as captain before the end of IPL 2026. Both sides felt that a fresh start was the best option.
What is the IPL record of Kuldeep Yadav with Delhi Capitals?
Kuldeep Yadav took 72 wickets in 65 matches for Delhi Capitals at an economy rate of 8.24. He spent five seasons with the team. He was one of the most effective wicket taking bowlers in the squad during that period.
When is the IPL 2027 retention deadline and mini auction?
The IPL 2027 retention deadline is November 15, 2026. All ten teams must submit the list of retained and released players by that date. The IPL 2027 mini auction will take place in Goa in mid December. It is the last mini auction of the 2023-27 cycle.
