table of contents
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is over, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clinching their second title by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final. Ahead of the next season, teams are already active and securing some trade deals.
As Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) were involved in the exchange of Kuldeep Yadav with Rishabh Pant for Rs 15 crore. The trade deal of Pant and Kuldeep has been done, as now both the cricketers will be seen for their new franchise in IPL 2027.
Are Kuldeep Yadav-Rishabh Pant the best trade for both franchises?
After two disastrous IPL seasons for LSG, Rishabh Pant resigned from the captaincy role this season and moved to his former franchise, Delhi Capitals. While LSG got local boy Kuldeep Yadav. Rishabh Pant went back to the franchise from where he started his IPL career.
Kuldeep Yadav hails from Unnao village, a district in Uttar Pradesh, and he will play for the Lucknow-based franchise from the same state. He has been a part of the DC franchise for the last five years and has performed excellently except in the 2026 season, where he failed to take wickets in the middle overs.
Avesh Khan talks openly about Kuldeep Yadav-Rishabh Pant trade
Now, LSG fast bowler Avesh Khan has opened up about the business deals as well as the blockbuster Pant-Kuldeep deal. The fast bowler believes that sometimes due to change of players the balance of the team also gets disturbed.
Video | Avesh Khan faced a tough performance in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League, but the Madhya Pradesh pacer is aiming to make a comeback into the Indian team via the domestic route.
Avesh, who is currently representing Chambal Gharials in the Madhya Pradesh T20… PIC.TeawITeaTeaER.Cheym/7wmETeaSWhyEb4
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) JYounE 25, 2026
Speaking to PTI, Avesh Khan said, “As you can see, your team does not always get the advantage in the trade. 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, to balance both the teams, players switch.”
“Letting Rishabh go will be a tough decision” – Avesh Khan on LSG letting go of Rishabh Pant
Avesh Khan talked 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 great. The southpaw always kept the team together and also guided the young players. Furthermore, the LSG fast bowler wished Rishabh Pant all the best and believes that considering the dimensions of the field and the condition of the pitch, Kuldeep is also a great player.
“I think it will be a difficult decision to let Rishabh go to LSG. Because he was our captain for 2 years. Our team could not perform so well in 2 years. But his contribution was immense. As a player, as a captain. Taking the team together. Always guiding the players. Always giving his inputs. So, all the best to him.”
“I want him to play for Delhi or any other team in his career. He plays for India, so he should perform well. As far as Kuldeep Yadav is concerned, he will be a good additional player for LSG. Why? Because we have a big ground. We play 7 matches at Ekana. Where the biggest ground of IPL is mentioned in terms of dimensions. So, he will be a good additional player.”