Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has said that Rishabh Pant's return to Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2027 season was far from unexpected. AB believed that there were visible signs that Pant was not completely settled during his two-year stay at Lucknow Super Giants. Pant has already been at Delhi Capitals, making a reunion with his former franchise.

When Pant joined LSG ahead of IPL 2025 he had created history by becoming the most expensive player in IPL history, with Lucknow Super Giants securing him for a record ₹27 crore. And now he has completed a high-profile trade back to Delhi Capitals. The deal also involved Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who moved to LSG.

"No surprises there after the season they’ve had and looking at some of his post-match interviews, there were already signs of him being frustrated and maybe the frustration is coming from the ownership and coaching staff as well. So he is returning back to DC after two years in exchange for Kuldeep Yadav," De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

The former RCB batter also spoke about the leadership changes at Delhi Capitals. 

"Sourav Ganguly joins DC now as the director of cricket, Yuvraj also there as batting coach, with Pant returning. So we'll see the dynamic with that. I feel it is a bit wishy-washy, doing this whole ownership change, the coaching staff comes and goes, it's really difficult for players to react to that and have a positive mindset with all these changes taking place. It can be confusing, and there is no doubt about that," he said.

The trade also carries financial adjustment for Pant. At LSG Pant earned a record-breaking ₹27 crore salary with Lucknow Super Giants, but at DC he will receive ₹15 crore. Meanwhile, de Villiers felt that Kuldeep will play a massive role at LSG.

"I feel Kuldeep will have a big influence in LSG, and also Rishabh taking a pay cut to 15 crore, maybe that is more reasonable and will take a bit of pressure off him, so hopefully he will have a positive influence. But with the whole ownership model, coaching staff changes, I don't see a lot of light at the end of the tunnel for DC. Maybe they do get the right formula leading into the next IPL," he said.