Rishabh Pant Set for Delhi Homecoming as Delhi Capitals Pursue Kuldeep Yadav Trade

Rishabh Pant is poised to make a triumphant return to his hometown Delhi Capitals, with a proposed trade deal that would see Kuldeep Yadav move to Lucknow Super Giants.

What happened?

According to a report by Times of India, Pant's two-year stint at Lucknow Super Giants appears to be drawing to a close. The Delhi Capitals are reportedly in talks to bring Pant back, with Kuldeep Yadav moving to LSG as part of the deal.

Why it matters for Rishabh Pant

Pant stepped down from the LSG captaincy after two difficult campaigns, during which he scored 269 in IPL 2025 and 312 in 2026. The franchise finished seventh and then last in successive campaigns, the worst back-to-back results in the side's history.

What comes next?

The deal being discussed would see Pant back to the franchise he represented for nine seasons before the IPL 2025 mega auction. Pant's potential return to Delhi Capitals is gaining momentum, with KL Rahul emerging as a strong candidate for the DC captaincy ahead of IPL 2027.

Rishabh Pant's numbers across his two seasons at LSG tell a clear story. He scored 581 runs in total, but the franchise missed the playoffs in both campaigns. LSG Director of Cricket Tom Moody confirmed the resignation with characteristic diplomacy, acknowledging Pant's contribution while signaling the franchise's forward focus.

"Rishabh approached the franchise with his request, and we have respectfully accepted it. These decisions are never easy. We are grateful for everything Rishabh has brought to this dressing room as captain," Moody said.

Kuldeep Yadav has taken 72 wickets across five IPL seasons at DC, reviving a career that had stalled at KKR. His first campaign produced 21 wickets from 14 matches, and DC retained him for Rs 13.25 crore ahead of IPL 2025.

Whether Pant returns as both player and captain remains unclear. KL Rahul has emerged as a very strong internal candidate for the DC captaincy ahead of IPL 2027, though no decision has been formally confirmed, leaving the leadership picture open at both franchises.

The logic is straightforward on both sides. Pant's return to Delhi Capitals would see him back at the franchise he represented for nine seasons before the IPL 2025 mega auction. Kuldeep Yadav's move to LSG would reshape both sides' squads ahead of IPL 2027.

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