The historic partnership between India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants lasted only two seasons with a trade agreement finally leading the two parties to part ways.
Pant was traded to his former team, the Delhi Capitals, while Kuldeep Yadav joined LSG in a high-profile move. Pant was purchased by LSG in 2025 for an unprecedented Rs 27 crore, the most any team has ever paid for a player at an IPL auction.
Pant’s Message For LSG
He returns to DC as part of the deal for an updated price of Rs 15 crore. He will be taking a pay cut of 12 crore in this move. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep joins LSG for his current cost of Rs 13.50 crore. Pant posted a three-word parting statement on Instagram to say goodbye to LSG. Pant shared a post from LSG honouring their former captain for his time with them on Instagram Stories, writing, “Thank You Team.”
Pant rejoins the team where he played for 9 seasons from 2016 to 2024, making 111 appearances, the most of any DC player. He captained the team in 43 games over four seasons from 2021 to 2024 and was one of the franchise’s defining figures for almost ten years.
IPL’s Official Statement
“Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav complete high-profile trade between DC and LSG. 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. Pant returns to the franchise where he spent nine seasons between 2016 and 2024, making 111 appearances – the most by any player for DC,” the IPL said in its official statement.
“One of the defining faces of the franchise for nearly a decade, he also captained the side in 43 matches across four seasons from 2021 to 2024. At the TATA IPL 2025 Player Auction, Pant was acquired by LSG for a record-breaking INR 27 crore – the highest winning bid in IPL history,” the statement further added.
“Following the trade, he will rejoin DC at a revised fee of INR 15 crore. Kuldeep joins LSG after a highly successful spell with Delhi Capitals lasting five seasons. Since arriving at the franchise in 2022, the left-arm wrist spinner has claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches and established himself as one of the most effective wicket-taking bowlers in the tournament. One of India’s premier white-ball bowlers, Kuldeep will join LSG at his existing fee of INR 13.50 crore,” the statement concluded.