Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav played for DC in IPL 2025. PC- AFP
The IPL officially announced the trade between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals, with Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav switching teams for IPL 2027.
Regarded as one of the biggest trades in the history of the league, Kuldeep Yadav's migration to Lucknow will be a win-win situation for both the parties. However, his absence has created a clear void in the DC camp.
After Kuldeep's trade to LSG, the Capitals are left with no wicket-taking spinner whatsoever. Although Axar Patel and Tripurana Vijay are in their ranks, both of them are finger spinners and won't have any front-line leggie.
In this article, we will discuss three players whom DC can target after the Rishabh Pant-Kuldeep Yadav Trade.
Kuldeep Yadav replacements at Delhi Capitals from IPL 2027
3. Shivam Shukla
In recent years, Shivam Shukla has built a reputation as a genuine wicket-taker. Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, the 30-year-old right-arm leg-spinner has been an artist on the field.
As MP finished as the runners-up in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, Shukla was one of the mainstays of their bowling attack. However, he bettered his stats in the next edition, picking up 17 wickets in 10 innings.
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The leggie has been doing well in the MP T20 2026 as well, where he has been outsmarting top Indian batting talents such as Rajat Patidar, Venkatesh Iyer and Akshat Raghuwanshi. He has done enough to be acquired by DC as Kuldeep Yadav's replacement.
2. Kumar Kartikeya
Kumar Kartikeya has already made a name for himself in the IPL, featuring for Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. He went unsold this season, but was with Chennai as a net bowler.
Kartikeya is a rare spinner who can bowl both left-arm orthodox and wrist-spin as well.
Additionally, the 2026 season has been a coming-of-age year for the talented tweaker, who has been doing well in all formats of the game.
He ended the Ranji Trophy season with 35 wickets in 14 innings, and has been among wicket-takers in the MP T20 2026 too. Thus, he will be a great pick in DC as Kuldeep Yadav's replacement.
1. Jalaj Saxena
Last but not the least on the DC list as a likely candidate among Kuldeep Yadav Replacements will be Jalaj Saxena. A domestic veteran with 721 wickets and over 10000 runs, he has done enough. However, what went against him was that he played in the Ashwin-Jadeja era.
Moreover, he only played a solitary match in the IPL. However, the Kuldeep Yadav move to LSG may open a spot for the right-arm spinner in DC. At 39, he may be in the twilight of his career, but he can still offer one season before the next IPL mega-auction.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant Back, KL Rahul To Lead? Delhi Capitals' Strongest XI For IPL 2027
