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The IPL transfer window witnessed one of the biggest moves in recent memory as Rishabh Pant<\/strong><\/a> completed a switch from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)<\/strong> to Delhi Capitals (DC)<\/strong>. Pant, who was purchased by LSG for a record \u20b927 crore at the IPL 2025 auction<\/strong>, will now represent Delhi for \u20b915 crore, while Kuldeep Yadav<\/strong> heads in the opposite direction on his existing \u20b913.5 crore contract.<\/p>\n The trade has sparked widespread debate among fans and experts, with many discussing which franchise has emerged stronger from the deal. Former India opener Aakash Chopra<\/strong> recently shared his views on the transfer and explained why he feels Lucknow have gained more from the exchange.<\/p>\n Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra acknowledged that Pant\u2019s move involved a substantial reduction in salary and highlighted just how significant the difference was.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you were thinking about pay cuts, layoffs, and limited job opportunities in your life, just think about Rishabh Pant. A guy was earning \u20b927 crore and will earn only 15 now. One gets slightly surprised while saying only 15, but only 15 because he was at \u20b927 crore. It means a pay cut of \u20b912 crore. People are not able to earn as much in their entire life,\u201d<\/em> Chopra remarked.<\/p>\n The former cricketer then explained that Pant\u2019s presence had complicated Lucknow\u2019s batting combinations over the last two seasons. According to Chopra, the franchise struggled to find an ideal position for the wicketkeeper-batter because of the number of top-order and overseas batting options already available in the squad.<\/p>\n \u201cI genuinely feel that Lucknow have benefited more. Their batting order wasn\u2019t getting settled because all four of their overseas players were batters, and then among the Indian batters, they had Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, and Mukul Choudhary. So you weren\u2019t able to bat him before No. 5, and if they tried to bat him before No. 5, an overseas batter had to go down, and the combination was not getting set,\u201d<\/em> Chopra observed.<\/p>\n Also READ: 5 players Delhi Capitals might release ahead of IPL 2027<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n While Chopra acknowledged that Pant\u2019s return would undoubtedly strengthen Delhi Capitals, he admitted that he remains uncertain about where the left-hander fits into their batting lineup. The analyst noted that DC already possess several batting options, including Nitish Rana<\/strong>, Tristan Stubbs<\/strong>, David Miller<\/strong><\/a>, Sameer Rizvi<\/strong> and Ashutosh Sharma<\/strong>. As a result, he questioned whether Pant\u2019s arrival addresses a major issue within the squad.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom Delhi\u2019s point of view, I am still intrigued as to where he would bat because they have many opening options, Nitish Rana had started doing well at No. 3, and then they have a good middle order in Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Sameer Rizvi, and Ashutosh Sharma,\u201d<\/em> Chopra said.<\/p>\n He further emphasized that replacing a bowler of Kuldeep\u2019s quality will not be straightforward for the Capitals. Chopra described Kuldeep\u2019s acquisition as a major boost for LSG, highlighting that quality Indian wrist-spinners remain one of the rarest commodities in franchise cricket. He even suggested that Lucknow could make further changes to their overseas setup in the future, with the arrival of Kuldeep helping them achieve better squad balance heading into IPL 2027<\/strong>.<\/p>\nAakash Chopra backs LSG as the biggest winners of the trade<\/h2>\n
Questions remain over Pant\u2019s role at Delhi Capitals<\/strong><\/h2>\n