The first major trade ahead of the 2027 season of the Indian Premier League has been confirmed as Kuldeep Yadav switched to the Lucknow Super Giants, bringing an end to five seasons at the Delhi Capitals for the left-arm wrist spinner. The other side of the deal sees wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant making a sensational return to the capital after two dismal years at the helm in Lucknow.
Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal has shared an emotional farewell message to bid adieu to the left-arm spinner,
who returns to his home city of Lucknow after five successful seasons with the Delhi team. He also welcomed his former player Pant, who has been with the Capitals from 2016 to 2024, even captaining the team from 2022 to 2024.
"Dear Kuldeep thank you for your service over the last 5 years @DelhiCapitals you have been a core part of our team and you will be sorely missed. Go well - you are a champion player and i am sure you will do extremely well back in your home ground," Jindal wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
"Rishabh - Kiran and I are both happy to have you back at DC. Hope you can find your best form back home in Delhi. @IPL," the post added.
Dear Kuldeep thank you for your service over the last 5 years @DelhiCapitals you have been a core part of our team and you will be sorely missed. Go well - you are a champion player and i am sure you will do extremely well back in your home ground. Rishabh - Kiran and I are both…
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) June 23, 2026
In five seasons in the Red and Blue of the Capitals, Kuldeep has played 65 matches, having picked up 72 wickets at an economy rate of 8.24. He had an ordinary campaign in 2026, picking up just 10 wickets and going at an economy of 10.29. He departs as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the Delhi Capitals' timeline, behind Amit Mishra, Axar Patel and Kagiso Rabada. The 31-year-old was signed by the Capitals in 2022 for a price of INR 2 crore, and was retained ahead of the 2025 season for a whopping INR 13.25 crore.
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