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Kuldeep Yadav is likely to change teams ahead of the IPL 2027 season. According to a Times of India report, the experienced Team India spinner is all set to leave the Delhi Capitals (DC) to join hands with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
This possible move makes sense, as under the leadership of Axar Patel in 2026, Kuldeep Yadav, one of the best spinners across the formats, sustained one of the most underwhelming seasons with DC. He leaked runs, missed his flair, and most importantly, the skipper's decision to use his bowlers was in question.
Why LSG should sign Kuldeep Yadav?
On the other side, LSG, which finished IPL 2026 as the 10th team in the 10-team league, needs a prolific spinner. Digvesh Rathi was their frontline spinner in the previous season, who was not effective enough in IPL 2026.
Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants are among the franchises that are likely to make multiple changes to their squad. The departure of Kuldeep Yadav will be massive. Official announcements from DC and LSG are yet to come.
Kuldeep could be the lead spinner in LSG?
Rathi was among the hottest prospects during the 2025 season when he took 14 wickets in 13 matches for an economy rate of 8.25. In the following season, when he was LSG's leading spinner, he captured only 5 scalps in 10 matches and as many innings with an economy rate of 10.17. The Delhi-born's wicket-tally not only decreased, but also leaked runs in most of the matches he played during the previous season.
As Rathi failed to impress in his solo lone, it is obvious that the franchise will go for a prolific spinner to strengthen their bowling department. Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion will bring variety, experience, and skills to the team.
Kuldeep Yadav was one of the most vital elements for the Delhi Capitals in the 2025 and 2026 seasons of the Indian Premier League. The IPL 2025 was brilliant for Yadav in terms of taking wickets and maintaining a good economy rate.
DC retained the spinner for INR 13.25 crore ahead of IPL 2025. In 2025, the 31-year-old claimed 15 wickets in 13 innings with an economy rate of 7.07. Yadav joined the Delhi-based franchise ahead of the 2022 season after spending five seasons with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
IPL 2027 was simply not among the best of Kuldeep, as he took 10 wickets in 11 innings against an economy rate of over ten. In a back-to-back season, DC displayed some promising cricket, but due to a lack of consistency, they missed a spot in the play-offs.
LSG will have to appoint a new captain as well
While DC showed some promising cricket, the Lucknow Super Giants were far from their expectations. With Rishabh Pant as their captain for a price tag of INR 27 crore, in the previous two seasons, the team finished their campaigns in the bottom half of the points table. Ahead of the 2027 season, they will have to appoint a new captain as Rishabh Pant has stepped down from the role.
