NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant had a simple message for Lucknow Super Giants when they returned to Delhi Capitals was confirmed on Tuesday. The wicketkeeper-batsman took to Instagram Stories to share his farewell to LSG, writing just three words: “Thank you team.“The news came not long after Pant returned to Delhi Capitals in exchange for spinner Kuldeep Yadav.Pant’s departure from LSG ends a disappointing two years with the franchise. The left-hander joined Lucknow for a record breaking Rs 27 crore ahead of IPL 2025, making him the most expensive player in IPL history at that time.However, things did not go according to plan. As captain, Pant struggled to turn LSG into a contender, and his performances with the bat also fell short of expectations.LSG finished seventh in IPL 2025 with eight wins. The following season proved to be a tough one as the Pant-led side finished bottom of the 10-team table with just four wins from 14 games.Pant scored 269 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2025. In IPL 2026, he managed 312 runs and registered just about half a century.
The move sees Pant take a salary cut of Rs 12 crore while returning to Delhi Capitals for Rs 15 crore. He will rejoin the franchise with whom he spent eight seasons between 2016 and 2024.Pant played 111 matches for Delhi before entering the IPL 2025 mega deal and also led the team from 2021 to 2024, leading them in 43 matches.Interestingly, when LSG signed Pant, owner Sanjiv Goenka described the deal as a long-term investment. But after two tough seasons, the franchise decided to part ways with the star wicketkeeper-batter.As part of the trade, left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav left Delhi Capitals for Lucknow Super Giants for his existing salary of Rs 13.50 crore.Kuldeep has been prolific for Delhi since joining the league in 2022. He has taken 72 wickets in 65 matches. However, he did not have a good season in IPL 2026, picking up just 10 wickets in 14 matches while conceding runs at 10.30.