(Image source from: Newsarenaindia.com)

Rishabh Pant, who was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for a record Rs 27 crore two seasons back, has made a big salary reduction to come back to Delhi Capitals. After a disappointing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, Pant stepped down as captain of LSG and returned to DC in a major trade deal where spinner Kuldeep Yadav moved to LSG. As stated in an official announcement from the IPL, Pant will receive Rs 15 crore for each season at Delhi, while Kuldeep has signed with LSG for Rs 13.50 crore. Pant was made captain of the Lucknow team before the 2025 season, but he faced challenges during his two years there. In the 2025 and 2026 seasons, he scored only 269 and 312 runs respectively. He was tried in different positions from opening to finishing the innings, yet he couldn’t live up to his significant price tag.

Pant started his IPL journey with the Delhi team in 2016 and became a key player for them until he left in 2024. He played a total of 111 games for the franchise, more than any other player in DC's history. As the face of the team for almost ten years, he also led the side in 43 matches over four seasons from 2021 to 2024. Meanwhile, Kuldeep is joining LSG after five successful years with Delhi Capitals. Since he joined the team in 2022, the left-arm wrist-spinner has taken 72 wickets in 65 matches, proving himself as one of the best wicket-takers in the tournament. Kuldeep, one of India’s top white-ball bowlers, will move to LSG for his current contract value of INR 13.50 crore.

An IPL media release confirmed the trade between Delhi and Lucknow, stating: "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. " Kuldeep previously earned Rs 13.25 at the Delhi Capitals, and his move to Lucknow means he will have a slightly better yearly salary.