Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has welcomed Rishabh Pant’s return to the franchise ahead of IPL 2027, saying the wicketkeeper-batter will have complete freedom to play his natural game without any added pressure from him or the team management.
Pant is set to return to Delhi Capitals for IPL 2027 following a historic trade with Lucknow Super Giants. The left-hander, who was acquired by LSG for a record ₹27 crore ahead of IPL 2025, will rejoin DC for ₹15 crore, while spinner Kuldeep Yadav will move to Lucknow for his existing fee of ₹13.5 crore.
In a video shared by Delhi Capitals, Axar spoke warmly about his relationship with Pant and highlighted the mutual understanding they have developed over the years.
“When he was here before, he was my captain and was leading me. At that time, there was never any feeling like ‘I am the captain, I will tell you what to do’. We always worked with mutual understanding. He knows he is a senior player, and I know I am a senior player. We understood what he could do best in a particular situation and where he might need support,” Axar said.
The all-rounder said his message to Pant would be simple — enjoy the game and play with complete freedom.
“As a friend and as a captain, I will tell him that he knows he does not have any extra pressure from me or from the franchise. This is his own home; he has played here for many years. Delhi is his home, so I don’t need to say much to him. I just know that he will get complete freedom from my side,” he added.
Axar also backed Pant to rediscover his best form, stressing that top players always find their way back.
“Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy your character. Form is temporary, but class is permanent. You belong to that category of players. You have complete freedom from our side. Just play your game and enjoy yourself. That will be my message to him,” Axar said.
Pant previously spent nine seasons with Delhi Capitals from 2016 to 2024 and remains the most experienced player in the franchise’s history, having featured in 111 matches. He also captained the side in 43 games between 2021 and 2024 and became one of the biggest faces of the franchise during his long association with the team.
Kuldeep, meanwhile, departs Delhi after five seasons, during which he claimed 72 wickets in 65 matches and established himself as one of the IPL’s most consistent wicket-taking bowlers.
Pant’s two-year stint with Lucknow Super Giants proved challenging. LSG finished seventh in IPL 2025 before ending at the bottom of the table in IPL 2026. Pant stepped down as captain before the conclusion of the 2026 season, with the franchise accepting his decision. Across two seasons as skipper, he led the side in 28 matches, winning 10 and losing 18.