Rishabh Pant to take pay cut to join DC in IPL 2027 as part of massive trade after stepping down as LSG captain

In what is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile trades in IPL history, Rishabh Pant is reportedly all set to return to his former franchise, Delhi Capitals. According to a As part of this major player swap ahead of the IPL 2027 season, star wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is set to head in the opposite direction to join the Lucknow Super Giants.

Rishabh Pant's Delhi Capitals homecoming on cards

Reports indicate that the wicketkeeper-batsman’s return aligns with a massive restructuring of the Capitals' management. With Parth Jindal’s JSW Group taking complete operational control of the franchise for the next two years, the front office moved quickly to initiate negotiations with Lucknow. This deal marks a sensational homecoming for Pant, who spent nine seasons anchoring the Delhi franchise before parting ways with them prior to the 2025 mega auction.

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Pant to take pay cut to link up with DC

The trade creates a geographic homecoming for both marquee players, sending Pant back to his domestic cricket roots in Delhi and placing Kuldeep closer to home in Uttar Pradesh. While the intricate financial specifics and potential cash components of the transaction remain under wraps, it has been established that Pant will take a significant pay cut from his current contract to make the blockbuster transfer logistically possible.

The primary roadblock to executing this trade was Pant's historic, record-breaking salary of ₹27 crore, an immense figure that no team could easily absorb into their existing purse. To clear this hurdle and finalize the move, Pant reportedly agreed to reduce his financial demands—a selfless compromise reminiscent of Ravindra Jadeja's salary adjustment when he transferred to the Rajasthan Royals last season.

Under the newly negotiated terms, Rishabh Pant’s restructured salary will sit just above the halfway mark of his previous historic contract, with insiders revealing he has agreed to a sum of approximately Rs 15 crore. Conversely, Kuldeep's financial arrangement will see no modifications, as he is set to maintain his existing Rs 13.25 crore remuneration package upon his arrival at Lucknow Super Giants.

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End of an underwhelming stint in Lucknow for Pant

Pant’s departure from Lucknow became inevitable after the front office determined that the team required a complete tactical reset and fresh leadership. The decision for Pant to relinquish his captaincy was mutually agreed upon before the conclusion of the recent season, following a disappointing two-year tenure that ultimately culminated in LSG finishing at the very bottom of the points table.

Prior to his stint with Lucknow, Pant was a cornerstone of DC franchise, featuring in 111 matches between 2016 and 2024, though he sat out the 2023 tournament due to injury. He spearheaded the leadership group as captain for three seasons, but friction with the GMR Group, who were managing operations at the time, over various team matters led to his high-profile release ahead of the 2025 mega auction.

The JSW Factor and Future Role

The driving force behind this reunion is JSW’s Parth Jindal, a long-time supporter of the explosive left-hander who actively championed the move to bring him back into the Delhi fold. However, fans expecting an immediate return to captaincy for the wicketkeeper-batsman may be disappointed, as current indications suggest Pant will rejoin strictly as a specialist player, even if Delhi undergoes a leadership transition.

The groundbreaking deal has progressed past the negotiation stage and is now nearing formal completion. The official trade documentation has already been submitted to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and currently awaits the governing body's final stamp of approval.