Rishabh Pant could be heading back to familiar surroundings, with the wicketkeeper-batter reportedly a strong candidate to rejoin Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2027 after an unsuccessful spell with Lucknow
Super Giants. According to The Times of India, talks over a return have gained significant traction, although discussions are still ongoing regarding the structure of the deal.
Such a move, if successful, would send shockwaves in the IPL circuit, but for Pant, it’ll represent a never-ending search for a stable place to realise his potential. The wicketkeeper was with DC from 2016-2024, playing 111 matches for 3284 runs at a strike-rate of 148.93. Joining the team as a young, promising hitter, he became one of the best in the world at DC and used the IPL as a stepping stone to his India debut.
He even captained DC in his final two years with the team, which made his decision not to be retained in 2024 a big shock. But some observers related it to the change of management at DC, with the GMR group taking over the control of the team from the JSW group for a two-year period, which ended in 2026.
For Pant, the decision proved correct as LSG signed him for an all-time IPL record fee of Rs. 27 crore. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka at the time said he expected Pant to play for LSG and captain the team to greatness for over a decade.
“According to me, he will play for the next 12-15 years. People say that MI and CSK are more successful. Mahi and Rohit are undeniably brilliant. Mark my words, after 10 years, people will say, Mahi, Rohit and Rishabh,” Goenka said on Star Sports. “In my belief, time will prove that he is not only the most successful player of the IPL, but he is going to be the best player of the IPL. I haven’t seen players with that kind of passion and hunger to win,” he added.
But Pant’s two years at LSG were far from successful. His batting returns diminished with 581 runs in two seasons at a mediocre strike-rate of 135.75, and LSG finished seventh and tenth in the table, respectively. After the season, LSG said he asked to be relieved of captaincy, which they accepted.
