Will Rishabh Pant be handed Captaincy at DelhI Capitals after Trade Move?

Rishabh Pant is all but set to leave Lucknow Super Giants and join Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2027 season.

The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, who spent nine formative years with the franchise before his record-breaking ₹27 crore move to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2025 mega auction, appears poised for a dramatic homecoming.

According to Cricbuzz, the deal would involve spinner Kuldeep Yadav heading to LSG in exchange, with Pant agreeing to a significant pay cut to around ₹15 crore to make the transaction feasible. The trade papers are reportedly already with the BCCI for approval, marking one of the earliest major roster shifts post-IPL 2026.

Pant’s journey has come full circle. After captaining Delhi Capitals in 43 matches across three seasons and becoming a fan favourite at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, he was released ahead of the 2025 auction amid reported disagreements with the previous management. LSG snapped him up for a then-record fee and handed him the captaincy. However, the move did not yield the desired results. LSG finished seventh in 2025 and rock bottom in 2026 under his leadership. Following the dismal campaign, Pant mutually stepped down as captain in late May 2026 to allow the franchise a fresh start.

The proposed return to Delhi coincides with significant changes at the Capitals. With Parth Jindal’s JSW group taking greater control and Sourav Ganguly returning in a key cricketing role, the franchise is rebuilding. Yuvraj Singh is also expected to join the coaching staff. Pant’s aggressive batting style and experience could bolster DC’s middle order and finishing, complementing their existing core.

Yet, one major question remains unanswered: will Pant lead the side again? Reliable reports indicate it is unlikely. Delhi Capitals appear to have moved on from his previous captaincy stint and are building a new leadership structure. KL Rahul has emerged as a strong internal candidate for the captaincy, potentially replacing or succeeding Axar Patel. Sources suggest the franchise wants stability and a different direction after missing the playoffs in recent seasons.

For LSG, acquiring Kuldeep Yadav at his existing ₹13.25 crore salary could strengthen their spin attack while freeing up resources for a leadership overhaul. Pant’s exit would allow them to completely restructure after two underwhelming campaigns.