IPL 2027 Trade: Rishabh Pant's return to Delhi Capitals is one of the biggest stories of the IPL off-season, with the franchise bringing back a player who helped define its modern era.
The wicketkeeper-batter has officially returned to Delhi Capitals following a that saw India spinner Kuldeep Yadav move in the opposite direction.
While Pant's two-year stint with Lucknow Super Giants failed to live up to expectations, his record at Delhi Capitals explains why the franchise was eager to bring him back ahead of IPL 2027.
Pant represented Delhi Capitals between 2016 (then Delhi Daredevils) and 2024, making 111 appearances for the franchise - the most by any player in the team's history. During that period, he established himself as one of the IPL's
most destructive batters and became the face of the franchise.
Pant's Rise at Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals signed Pant as a teenager ahead of the 2016 season, and it did not take long for him to make an impact.
After showing flashes of his immense talent during his first two seasons, Pant exploded onto the scene in IPL 2018 with one of the greatest batting campaigns by an Indian player in tournament history.
The left-hander smashed 684 runs in just 14 matches at a remarkable average of 52.61 and an astonishing strike rate of 173.60. His unbeaten 128 against Sunrisers Hyderabad remains one of the highest individual scores by an Indian batter in IPL history.
The season transformed Pant into one of the biggest stars of the league and cemented his place as the cornerstone of Delhi's future plans.
Consistent Performer Across Nine Seasons
Pant remained one of Delhi Capitals' most reliable performers over the next six seasons.
He scored 488 runs in 2019 as Delhi reached the playoffs and followed it up with valuable contributions during the franchise's most successful period between 2019 and 2021.
Even after returning from a life-threatening car accident, Pant enjoyed an impressive IPL 2024 campaign, scoring 446 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.55 and a strike rate of 155.40.
His performances reaffirmed his status as one of the league's elite wicketkeeper-batters and played a significant role in Lucknow Super Giants spending a record ₹27 crore to acquire him at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Rishabh Pant's IPL Record for Delhi Capitals
| Season | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 10 | 198 | 69 | 24.75 | 130.26 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 14 | 366 | 97 | 26.14 | 165.61 | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | 14 | 684 | 128* | 52.61 | 173.60 | 1 | 5 |
| 2019 | 16 | 488 | 78* | 37.53 | 162.66 | 0 | 3 |
| 2020 | 14 | 343 | 56 | 31.18 | 113.95 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 16 | 419 | 58* | 34.91 | 128.52 | 0 | 3 |
| 2022 | 14 | 340 | 44 | 30.91 | 151.79 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 13 | 446 | 88* | 40.55 | 155.40 | 0 | 3 |
Pant the Leader
Beyond his contributions with the bat, Pant also played a major leadership role at Delhi Capitals.
He captained the franchise in 43 matches between 2021 and 2024, taking over at a relatively young age and helping guide the team through a period of transition.
His aggressive style of cricket and willingness to back young players made him a popular figure within the setup.
Although his captaincy stint at Lucknow Super Giants did not produce the desired results, Delhi will benefit from the experience he gained during those two seasons.
Why Delhi Wanted Him Back
Few players have had a bigger impact on Delhi Capitals than Pant.
Across nine seasons, he became the franchise's highest appearance-maker, one of its leading run-scorers and one of the most recognisable faces associated with the team.
His ability to change games in a matter of overs, combined with his leadership experience and strong connection with the fan base, makes him a valuable addition as Delhi look to return to title contention.
At 28, Pant is entering the prime years of his career. For Delhi Capitals, bringing him back is not just a sentimental move-it is a strategic decision to reunite with a player who has consistently delivered for the franchise over nearly a decade.
Rishabh Pant's Overall Delhi Capitals Record
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111 | 3,284 | 128* | 35.31 | 148.20 | 1 | 18 | 296 | 154 |
Those numbers explain why Delhi Capitals were determined to bring Pant back. After two difficult seasons away from the franchise, one of the IPL's most explosive talents is once again set to wear the blue and red of Delhi Capitals.
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