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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is over, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) securing their second title by beating the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final. Ahead of the next season, the teams are already active and securing some trade deals.
As Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) were involved in an exchange of Kuldeep Yadav with Rishabh Pant, with INR 15 crore. The trade deal of Pant and Kuldeep has happened, as now both cricketers will be featuring for their newest franchise in IPL 2027.
Is Kuldeep Yadav-Rishabh Pant the best trade for both franchises?
After two disastrous IPL seasons for LSG, Rishabh Pant stepped down from the captaincy role this season and has made his move to his former franchise, the Delhi Capitals. While LSG got the local boy Kuldeep Yadav. Rishabh Pant goes back to the franchise where he started his IPL career.
Kuldeep Yadav comes from Unnao village, a district in Uttar Pradesh, and he will be playing for the very same state for the Lucknow-based franchise. He has been a part of the DC franchise for the past five years and performed excellently except in the 2026 season, where he failed to pick wickets in the middle overs.
Avesh Khan opens up about Kuldeep Yadav-Rishabh Pant trade
Now, LSG pacer Avesh Khan has opened up about the trade deals that happen and also about the blockbuster Pant-Kuldeep deal as well. The pacer believes that sometimes the players’ switch disturbs the balance of the squads as well.
VIDEO | Avesh Khan endured a tough run in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League, but the Madhya Pradesh pacer is aiming to make a comeback to the Indian side through the domestic route.
Avesh, who is currently representing Chambal Ghariyal in the Madhya Pradesh T20… pic.twitter.com/7WmEtSqeB4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 25, 2026
While speaking on PTI, Avesh Khan said, “As you can see, your team does not always have an advantage in the trades. Because if a team trades someone, they also ask for a player. Like DC has asked for Rishabh. LSG has also asked for Kuldeep. So, in order to balance both the teams, the players switch.”
“It will be a tough decision to let Rishabh go”- Avesh Khan on LSG letting Rishabh Pant go
Avesh Khan spoke about the difficulty of letting go of Rishabh Pant as he was the captain of LSG for the last two seasons, and his contribution to the team was fantastic. The Southpaw always carried the team together and guided the young players as well. Apart from that, the LSG pacer wished Rishabh Pant all the luck and feels that Kuldeep is also a brilliant addition, keeping the ground dimensions and pitch conditions in mind.
“I think it will be a tough decision to let Rishabh go for LSG. Because he was our captain for 2 years. Our team could not do so well in 2 years. But his contribution was enough. As a player, as a captain. Taking the team together. Always guiding the players. Always giving your input. So, good luck to him.”
“I want him to play for Delhi or any other team in his career. He plays for India, so he should do well. As far as Kuldeep Yadav is concerned, he will be a good addition for LSG. Why? Because we have a big ground. We play 7 matches in Ekana. Where IPL’s biggest ground is mentioned in terms of dimensions. So, he will be a good addition.”
