Rishabh Pant–Kuldeep Yadav Trade took place on Tuesday (Source: AFP Photos)
A blockbuster trade deal took place on Tuesday, with Rishabh Pant returning to Delhi Capitals while Kuldeep Yadav joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2027. Given that both Pant and Kuldeep are two of the finest Indian cricketers at present, the move became the talking point among cricket fans within seconds.
While Rishabh Pant has only played for two IPL teams – LSG and Delhi Capitals – in IPL history, this would be the fourth IPL team for Kuldeep, after Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC).
So, who exactly wins the Rishabh Pant–Kuldeep Yadav trade? Who has the better chance between the Sanjiv Goenka-led LSG and the Parth Jindal-co-owned DC to come out on top after this deal? Let’s dig deep to find out in the article.
Huge Budget Boost For LSG
Pant is taking a huge pay cut for his Delhi Capitals comeback for IPL 2027. He had a whopping INR 27 crore salary for LSG for two seasons, and now he will have INR 15 crore going forward.
This would allow LSG to have an additional INR 12 crore budget for the next mini-auction. Kuldeep Yadav, on the other hand, will keep his existing IPL salary of INR 13.5 crore. So, LSG wins the first battle against DC.
LSG - 1, DC - 0.
Major Add In LSG Spin Attack, Not So Great For DC
LSG spin department was disappointing throughout the IPL 2026. The likes of Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed and Manimaran Siddharth have been wayward with the ball in hand, and they did not have the services of Wanindu Hasaranga either due to a hamstring injury.
Now, with Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran available as overseas options, it would be very hard for LSG to make room for Hasaranga when he is fit.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant Back, KL Rahul To Lead? Delhi Capitals' Strongest XI For IPL 2027
Therefore, Kuldeep, who knows the conditions in Lucknow very well as someone from there, can be a massive addition to LSG's setup. With him being around, coupled with a good-looking pace attack, LSG has just got stronger for the next edition.
Pant, on the other hand, is joining DC after back-to-back miserable IPL seasons. He had 312 runs in IPL 2026 and 269 runs before that. Yes, Kuldeep too had one bad season for DC, but when a batting unit lacks firepower, bringing in someone as inconsistent as Pant does not add much of a value.
LSG - 2, DC - 0.
Yuvraj Singh-Rishabh Pant Factor Can Work
Let’s not forget the fact that Pant went to Yuvraj Singh for help ahead of IPL 2026. Now, with Yuvraj taking the charge for the first time in a coaching capacity, coupled with the return of Sourav Ganguly potentially being the head coach of the franchise, who rates Pant very highly, things could not be better for the 28-year-old for IPL redemption.
On the other hand, there is no such factor for Kuldeep in the LSG signing.
LSG - 2, DC - 1.
Conclusion
Keeping all factors in mind, it can be safe to say that LSG by far get the better deal than Delhi Capitals with the Rishabh Pant–Kuldeep Yadav trade.
Nevertheless, time can prove everyone wrong if DC’s Pant gamble works magnificently and Kuldeep fails to regain his bag of trickery in IPL 2027. As things stand, at least on paper, it is LSG who gain more by removing Pant for Kuldeep.
Also Read: DC Owner Parth Jindal Issues 1st Public Statement On Leaving Kuldeep Yadav
