KKR Pursued Rishabh Pant, But LSG Asked For More In Return

KKR wanted Rishabh Pant [Source: AFP, AP]

Rishabh Pant is on the verge of moving back to Delhi Capitals following his two-year stay with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Under his leadership, the LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs of the IPL 2025 as well as the IPL 2026 seasons.

The LSG management is currently in talks with the Delhi Capitals for a high-profile player swap between Rishabh and ace India spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

According to reports, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) also expressed its interest in acquiring the charismatic Indian wicketkeeper-batter. However, their talks broke down with the LSG franchise owing to the latter’s higher expectations in return. 

KKR wanted Rishabh Pant, LSG wanted Varun or Sunil Narine in return

As reported by a Revsportz journalist on Friday, June 19; the KKR franchise was also interested in acquiring LSG skipper and dashing wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant into its squad for next year’s IPL 2027 season. 

Subhayan Chakraborty

@CricSubhayan

KKR were very interested in Rishabh Pant. But LSG wanted Varun/Sunil for Pant. That's where the talks broke down. Rishabh is Kuldeep Yadav + 15 crore to DC.

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However, the LSG franchise wanted either one of the two ace spinners, Varun Chakaravarthy or Sunil Narine, in return for Pant. The report further states that with KKR unwilling to let go of either of the two cricketers, their talks with the LSG franchise allegedly broke down. 

Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav set for major swap

Since LSG’s talks with the KKR broke down, the franchise has reportedly entered fresh talks with the Delhi Capitals, which also happens to be Pant’s former IPL team. 

At the other end of the deal is Delhi Capitals spinner Kuldeep Yadav. As per the report, the deal is already gathering momentum and the two franchises might confirm the historic swap within the coming weeks. 

The development comes mere days after Pant requested the LSG franchise to relieve him of captaincy responsibility. 

The report states that the proposed deal would see Kuldeep Yadav and Rs. 15 crores move to the Lucknow Super Giants, while Pant would return to the Delhi Capitals, making it one of the biggest player swaps in IPL history if finalized.

LSG in IPL 2026

Under the leadership of Rishabh Pant, the LSG franchise finished at the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table last month. The team managed to register just four wins and sustained 10 losses from 14 matches. With just eight points, the franchise finished with a dismal NRR of -0.740. 

A couple of years ago, Pant was acquired by the LSG for a staggering sum of Rs. 27 crores, thus becoming one of the most expensive players in the history of the league. As evidenced by the performance of the franchise under his leadership, as well as his own lackluster returns with the bat, the cricketer has clearly failed to justify his hefty price tag. 

For instance, the senior batter has aggregated just 581 runs in 26 innings of the past two IPL seasons combined, doing so at an underwhelming average of 26.40.

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