What will be Rishabh Pant's new salary after 44.44 per cent pay cut for Delhi Capitals homecoming in IPL 2027?

Speculation is mounting over Rishabh Pant’s new salary following reports that star wicketkeeper-batter is all set to return to Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2027. A proposed player-swap deal with Lucknow Super Giants, as reported by Cricbuzz, is expected to see Pant head back to Delhi while premier spinner Kuldeep Yadav moves in the opposite direction. To facilitate this blockbuster move, Pant has reportedly agreed to a massive 44.44 per cent salary reduction, dropping his earnings from a record Rs 27 crore to approximately Rs 15 crore, a staggering pay cut of nearly Rs 12 crore.

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Rs 12 cr is the cost for Rishabh Pant's DC re-union

This substantial financial concession proved to be the turning point for the trade negotiations. Pant's previous INR 27 crore contract acted as a major roadblock, as absorbing a salary of that magnitude into an existing squad structure is an incredibly difficult task for any franchise without completely destroying their purse flexibility and overall team balance. By voluntarily lowering his financial demands, the explosive left-hander cleared the main obstacle, allowing the Delhi Capitals' management to aggressively pursue and finalize the deal.

Pant & Kuldeep: A double homecoming on the cards

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav will transition to Lucknow while retaining his current salary of INR 13.25 crore. The blockbuster trade, which is currently awaiting formal ratification from the BCCI, sets up a poetic double homecoming for both marquee cricketers. Pant will return to the franchise where he built his reputation and spent nine formative seasons, while Kuldeep will head back to his home state of Uttar Pradesh to lead the spin attack for Lucknow.

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Pant’s deep-rooted history with DC spans 111 matches and a 43-game captaincy tenure between 2016 and 2024. While administrative friction led to his departure before the 2025 mega auction, a major governance shake-up has paved the way for his return. With the JSW Group taking the operational reins for the next two seasons, franchise co-owner Parth Jindal, a staunch supporter of Pant—has successfully orchestrated a deal to bring the franchise's most recognizable face back home.

Despite his previous leadership experience with the Capitals, Pant is not expected to reclaim the captaincy armband immediately upon his return. Even if Delhi undergoes a leadership transition down the line, the current blueprint focuses heavily on integrating him strictly as a marquee wicketkeeper-batsman, allowing him to anchor the middle order without the added pressure of leading the side.