Rishabh Pant has been traded to DC, while Kuldeep will move to LSG.
Following an IPL trade saw the wicketkeeper-batter, who was bought by LSG for INR 27 crores, go to the DC for INR 15 crores and, in turn, Kuldeep Yadav join LSG for INR 13.50 crores. Pant, who spent the 2025 and 2026 seasons with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), is scheduled to return to DC for the 2027 edition.
Jaffer noted that owners and supporters put a lot of pressure on franchise owners. He pointed out that Pant is a wicketkeeper as well and that his performances have declined; therefore, it's critical that he concentrate on his batting and reintegrate into India's T20I and ODI lineups.
“If Delhi Capitals even offer him the captaincy, I think it is better for him to say no. You know, the way KL has done it, he is enjoying his time as a player. There is a lot of pressure when you have to lead a franchise: the pressure from the owners, the expectations, and the pressure from the fans, plus you have to focus on your own performance. On top of that, he is also a wicketkeeper and has to bat,” Jaffer stated on his YouTube channel.
“I think it is better for him to play as a player because, you know, his performance has come down. Again, I feel Rishabh’s priority should be to perform well in the IPL and make his way back into the T20I and ODI teams. Captaincy is not his priority because he is not currently in India’s leadership group where he could become the captain. I think he needs to keep that aside and focus on performing as a batter, winning matches for his franchise as a batsman. I think that is what is best for Rishabh Pant,” he added.
Pant only managed 581 runs for LSG across two seasons with one century and two fifties at an average of 26.41 and a strike rate of 135.75. Additionally, the side failed to reach the playoffs in both editions under his captaincy.
Rishabh Pant can win four or five games by himself, according to Wasim Jaffer, and it would be ideal for the 28-year-old to concentrate on playing as a player.
“Just play as a batsman and win matches. He has the ability to win four or five matches on his own. If he plays like that, I think that is best. So, I think the best thing for Rishabh Pant is to give up the captaincy and play as a player,” Jaffer pointed out.
Rishabh Pant made his IPL debut in 2018 and has made 3865 runs in 139 IPL games at a strike rate of 146.79, including 20 fifties and two centuries, with a best score of an unbeaten 128.