Yashasvi Jaiswal to captain Lucknow Super Giants? You must be wondering how that is possible. He is one of Rajasthan Royals’ main players, so how could he become Lucknow’s captain? But a shocking report has emerged: the two franchises are discussing a trade involving five players, and Jaiswal could become LSG’s new captain if the deal goes through.
The talks are reportedly approaching the final stage, with player consent still among the remaining steps. If everything falls into place, this could become one of the biggest surprises ahead of IPL 2027.
Why Could Yashasvi Leave Rajasthan Royals?
We had raised the possibility last year, and again since then, that Jaiswal might not play his next season for Rajasthan. The main reason was his captaincy ambition.
Jaiswal reportedly wants to lead an IPL franchise. Rajasthan’s decision to give the captaincy to Riyan Parag, who has less international experience and a smaller profile, is understood to have contributed to his dissatisfaction. That leadership ambition has encouraged him to explore other options.
According to reports, Lucknow offered Jaiswal the captaincy around a month ago, and he is understood to be willing to take up the opportunity. With Rishabh Pant’s move to Delhi Capitals reported, LSG have an opening for a new leader.
Jaiswal’s reported willingness, however, does not mean the entire exchange is complete. The franchises still need to settle the deal and secure the necessary consent from the players involved.
Yashasvi to Captain Lucknow: The Proposed Five-Player Trade
ABP News has reported a possible exchange involving three Rajasthan players and two Lucknow players. The proposed movement is:
| Player | Proposed move |
|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Rajasthan Royals to Lucknow Super Giants |
| Sandeep Sharma | Rajasthan Royals to Lucknow Super Giants |
| Vignesh Puthur | Rajasthan Royals to Lucknow Super Giants |
| Nicholas Pooran | Lucknow Super Giants to Rajasthan Royals |
| Prince Yadav | Lucknow Super Giants to Rajasthan Royals |
Josh Inglis is reportedly Rajasthan’s alternative if Lucknow do not agree to release Pooran. He would replace Pooran in the proposed exchange, rather than become a sixth player.
Neither franchise has formally announced this five-player deal.
The biggest point here is Rajasthan’s demand in return for Jaiswal. Pooran is a proven match-winner, while Prince has become an important Indian fast bowler. Rajasthan would therefore be seeking two significant players from Lucknow while also sending Sandeep and Puthur the other way.
How Have the Four Main Players Performed in the Last Two IPL Seasons?
Their performances in IPL 2025 and IPL 2026 help explain both the attraction and the risks of this proposed trade.
| Batter | Season | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 2025 | 14 | 559 | 43.00 | 159.71 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 2026 | 16 | 427 | 30.50 | 152.50 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 2025 | 14 | 524 | 43.67 | 196.25 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 2026 | 14 | 234 | 18.00 | 127.87 |
Jaiswal scored 986 runs across the two seasons. His returns dropped in 2026, but an attacking Indian opener with that scoring ability remains a valuable player to secure through a trade.
Pooran’s numbers show a much sharper contrast. His explosive 2025 season demonstrated how quickly he can change a match, but his scoring and strike rate both fell considerably in 2026. Rajasthan would be backing him to rediscover his best form.
| Bowler | Season | Matches | Wickets | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Sharma | 2025 | 10 | 9 | 9.89 |
| Sandeep Sharma | 2026 | 6 | 5 | 11.39 |
| Prince Yadav | 2025 | 6 | 3 | 9.85 |
| Prince Yadav | 2026 | 14 | 16 | 8.83 |
Prince’s improvement is a major reason why his inclusion matters. He went from three wickets in his debut season to 16 wickets in 2026, finishing as Lucknow’s leading wicket-taker. He was among the Indian pacers who made a strong impression last season, and losing him would create a serious gap for LSG.
Sandeep would bring experience to Lucknow’s attack, although his recent figures show that the franchise would also be backing him to improve. His 2026 season produced five wickets in six matches, with an economy rate above 11.
Which Team Would Benefit More?
For Lucknow, the biggest attraction is securing a high-quality Indian batter who could also become their captain. Players of Jaiswal’s quality are difficult to acquire, and his arrival would help rebuild the top order after Pant’s reported departure.
However, the price would be substantial if Pooran and Prince both leave. Lucknow would be giving up an explosive overseas batter and their leading wicket-taker from the previous season. Sandeep’s experience would help, but his recent returns do not make him a straightforward replacement for Prince.
For Rajasthan, Pooran would offer destructive batting, while Prince would strengthen their Indian pace options. But they would lose an established Indian opener around whom a batting line-up can be built.
There is no clear winner in this proposed trade yet. Much would depend on whether Pooran regains his form, whether Prince continues his rise, and how Jaiswal handles the combined responsibility of opening and captaincy. The final choice between Pooran and Inglis would also change the balance of the deal.
