Pant worth Rs 27 crore, Kuldeep worth Rs 13 crore, who will benefit in IPL trade, LSG or Delhi?
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Not even a month has passed since the end of the IPL 2026 season, but many big changes have taken place, the most important name among them is that of Rishabh Pant, along with some other big names like Kuldeep Yadav and Yuvraj Singh. Lucknow franchise owned by Sanjeev Goenka is trading Kuldeep Yadav with Delhi Capitals for Rs 13 crore by giving Rishabh Pant for Rs 27 crore.
Mega trade of Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav
New Delhi: Ever since the news came that IPL’s most expensive player Rishabh Pant is being dropped by his team Lucknow Supergiants, there has been a sensation in the sports world. Rishabh Pant, who was bought by Lucknow for Rs 27 crore in the mega auction of IPL 2026 just two years ago, is being traded to Delhi Capitals. If Kuldeep Yadav will now go to Lucknow from Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant will return home to Delhi Capitals. Pant played 111 matches for Delhi Capitals between 2016 and 2024, but was released before the 2025 mega auction due to differences with the GMR Group.
Rishabh Pant ready to come for less salary
Although exact information about this mega trade has not been received, but it is certain that there will be a significant cut in Rishabh Pant’s salary. The biggest hurdle in Pant’s trade was his record-breaking salary of Rs 27 crore because it was not easy for any franchise to add a player with such a high fee by trading. If sources are to be believed, Pant was so desperate to get out of Lucknow that he agreed to come to Delhi Capitals even at a lower salary. Just like Ravindra Jadeja did last season when he joined Rajasthan Royals.
Rishabh Pant will get Rs 15 crore, Kuldeep will get Rs 13.25 crore
It is believed that Rishabh Pant’s new fee will be a little more than half of his current salary. Rishabh Pant has agreed to a fee of around Rs 15 crore. At the same time, Kuldeep’s fee in Lucknow Super Giants will remain only Rs 13.25 crore. Lucknow wanted to keep Rishabh Pant as captain for a long time, but after two bad seasons, he was parted ways. This year the team remained at the bottom of the points table.
Rishabh Pant suddenly left the captaincy of Lucknow Super Giants.
The new owner of Delhi Capitals took the decision as soon as he arrived.
Now for the next two years, not GMR Group but Parth Jindal’s JSW is going to be in charge of the Delhi franchise. In such a situation, Delhi Capitals has planned the return home of its old player Rishabh Pant, who started his career from Delhi itself and played for this franchise. Now there is a possibility of Yuvraj Singh becoming the head coach under the mentorship of Sourav Ganguly.
Kuldeep Yadav is in bad shape in IPL 2026
‘Homecoming’ for Kuldeep Yadav too
Like Rishabh Pant, this trade will also be like a homecoming for Kuldeep Yadav because Kuldeep, a resident of Kanpur, plays domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh and if he plays in IPL for Lucknow, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium will be his home ground. In IPL 2026, Kuldeep Yadav played only 12 matches for Delhi, in which he could take only 10 wickets. The team remained at sixth position with seven wins and seven losses in 14 matches.
About the Author
Anshul Talmale is captaining the sports desk of Network18 Group from February 2025, wearing the jersey of Deputy News Editor. Here, he is handling the role of sports content planning, editorial direction and strategy making.read more
