Pant, who was retained for ₹27 crore ahead of the 2026 season, will now move back to Delhi Capitals for a revised fee of ₹15 crore. He had joined LSG in 2025 and led the side for two seasons, but the franchise failed to reach the playoffs on both occasions, resulting in underwhelming campaigns.
In exchange, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will join LSG at his existing retention value of ₹13.50 crore. Kuldeep has been with Delhi since 2022, featuring in 65 matches and picking up 72 wickets. However, the 2026 season proved challenging for him as he managed only 10 wickets from 11 innings.
Pant’s return marks a homecoming to the franchise where he began his IPL journey in 2016. Bought for ₹1.9 crore when the team was still known as Delhi Daredevils, he went on to become one of DC’s most iconic players, featuring in 111 matches and scoring 3,284 runs at an average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93, including one century and 15 half-centuries. He remains the highest run-scorer in the franchise’s IPL history.
His standout season came in 2018, when he amassed 684 runs in 14 matches at an average of 52.61 and a strike rate of 173.60, including an unbeaten 128. After struggling for consistency in recent seasons, Pant will now look to rediscover his form in familiar colours, while DC hopes his return can reignite their campaign.
