Top News

Read, Digital Desk : Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav trade confirmed, outgoing LSG star to take significant pay cut at DC Rishabh Pant had set the record for the most expensive player in the history of the IPL after signing a deal worth INR 27 crore at the 2025 mega-auction, however, his underperformances have forced Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to transfer him to Delhi Capitals (DC). Delhi Capitals are set to secure the signing of former Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant for INR 15 crore while securing Kuldeep Yadav’s services for INR 13.50 crore, the IPL body confirmed through a press statement released on Tuesday, June 23. The transaction involves a significant salary cut for Pant.

According to a statement from the IPL body, “Former Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant is set for a return to Delhi Capitals (DC), while Kuldeep Yadav will join Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), following one of the most significant player trades in recent IPL history.”

Pant’s Poor IPL Records Influence Trade Rishabh Pant’s recent IPL performances have been largely unsatisfactory and have spurred the decision to trade him to Delhi Capitals. After being acquired by Lucknow Super Giants in the 2025 mega-auction for an astronomical INR 27 crore, the highest ever price tag for a player, Pant’s output has been below par over the past two seasons. He has only managed to score three fifty-plus scores (one century and two half-centuries) across 28 innings in this period. In IPL 2025, he registered 269 runs at a humble average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16.

The following season (2026) saw a marginally improved showing of 312 runs at a rate of 28.36, with a strike rate of 138.05.

The captaincy position was later relinquished by Pant in the aftermath of the 2026 season, with reports even suggesting he was removed. “Lucknow Super Giants wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved from his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted the request with immediate effect,” the LSG franchise stated. Kuldeep Yadav to Play for State Club Kuldeep Yadav is now set to represent his home state team in the IPL after the transfer to Lucknow Super Giants at his current fee.

While his IPL campaign with Delhi Capitals wasn’t stellar, securing just 10 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 38.10 and an economy of 10.29. Team captain Axar Patel’s comment during the last season-where he humorously questioned Kuldeep’s whereabouts in a spin-friendly Delhi surface during a spell where Kuldeep conceded 34 runs without picking up a wicket in three overs-illustrated the team’s sentiment. This trade leaves Lucknow Super Giants with a purse of INR 13.75 crore following Kuldeep’s acquisition for INR 13.25 crore.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals incurred a deduction of INR 1.25 crore after signing Pant for INR 15 crore, which is INR 1.75 crore more than what they are paying Kuldeep.