Avesh Khan Reacts to Rishabh Pant-Kuldeep Yadav Trade: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Avesh Khan has supported the franchise’s decision to trade their former captain Rishabh Pant for Delhi Capitals’ (DC) Kuldeep Yadav after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. After stepping down as LSG captain following their 10th place finish, Pant went back to DC for Rs 15 crore, taking a Rs 12 crore paycut. Kuldeep switched to Lucknow for Rs 13.50 crore. Avesh believes that it is a ‘good deal for both teams’ as Kuldeep will benefit from big dimensions at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
"That was a management decision based on their needs. I believe it's a good deal for both teams. Delhi got Rishabh Pant back, and we got Kuldeep, whose experience as a world-class spinner will be very beneficial for us on our large home ground," Avesh told ANI.
How Kuldeep, Pant fared in IPL 2026?
Both Kuldeep and Pant had an underwhelming IPL 2026 season. The left-arm wrist spinner managed to take 10 wickets from 12 games, averaging just over 38. His economy rate was 10.29 runs per over, considerably higher than previous season's 7.07.
On the other hand, Pant scored 312 runs, averaging 28.36 from 13 innings. He scored at a strike rate of 138.05. He crossed the fifty-run mark just once in the season.
Axar welcomes Pant
While LSG finished at the bottom of the points table, DC had a few close finishes which did not go their way, including the one-run defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) and the high-scoring defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) at home in the absence of a concussed Lungi Ngidi. Still, they managed to win seven out of 14 games and finished sixth on the points table.
DC are likely to retain Axar who has welcomed Pant with open arms, already giving him the freedom to bat in whichever way he likes instead of curbing his instinct to play unorthodox shots square of the wicket.
Who will be LSG’s next captain?
But, LSG have a big question in front of the them. Who will captain them for IPL 2027? They have a few answers in the existing squad. They have Australia’s T20I captain Mitchell Marsh in the side. There is South Africa’s T20I captain Aiden Markram in the lineup as well. Retired from international cricket, Nicholas Pooran can lead the side. He made his IPL captaincy debut in 2024 edition. Pooran is already leading MI New York in Major League Cricket (MLC) and Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He has won titles as captain too. There is one more contender in Josh Inglis who recently led Australia in limited-overs cricket in injured Marsh’s absence.