Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav swap franchises in a high-profile IPL trade between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), with both deals reported as nearing completion. The move brings Pant back to his former team, where he previously rose to prominence before joining LSG in the 2025 mega auction. At the time, LSG paid a reported record ₹27 crore for him. Multiple reports say the key factor enabling the trade is Pant’s agreement to a reduced contract value, with his revised salary cited around ₹15 crore—described as a pay cut of roughly ₹12 crore by several outlets.
In return, DC sends Kuldeep Yadav to LSG. ESPN Cricinfo reports that Kuldeep’s fee remains at his existing value, while other reports frame the exchange as strengthening LSG’s spin bowling options and giving DC a familiar wicketkeeper-batter. Several sources also note that Pant’s stint at LSG included uncertainty after the team struggled in the IPL 2026 season, and that he stepped down as captain. The trade reshapes the top order and bowling balance for both sides ahead of the next season.
