RCB's Devdutt Padikkal Hits Jackpot! Emerges As Most Expensive Buy
Hubli Tigers franchise secured Royal Challengers Bangalore Devdutt Padikkal for a whopping ₹13.20 lakh, making him the highest-paid player in the tournament’s history.
The auction for the new season of the Maharaja Trophy T20 saw several players going under the hammer. Many IPL stars attracted significant bids, with franchises showing strong interest in both emerging and experienced cricketers.
Among them, Devdutt Padikkal of Royal Challengers Bangalore stole the spotlight by becoming the most expensive player in the Maharaja Trophy T20 League.
The auction, conducted by the Karnataka State Cricket Association on 15th July, featured competitive bidding across categories.
Devdutt Padikkal Becomes Most Expensive Pick
Devdutt Padikkal, who is a part of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), had to leave the tournament early after sustaining an injury in the initial matches. RCB had bought him for ₹3.20 crore.
However, in the Maharaja Trophy T20 auction, teams showed great faith in his talent. The Hubli Tigers franchise secured Padikkal for a whopping ₹13.20 lakh, making him the highest-paid player in the tournament’s history.
Big Bids for Other IPL Players Too
Alongside Padikkal, other IPL players also received notable attention. Manish Pandey, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders, was picked by Mysore Warriors for ₹12.20 lakh.
Abhinav Manohar of Sunrisers Hyderabad was also bought by Hubli Tigers for ₹12.20 lakh. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal, who has represented Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Mumbai Indians, was signed by Mangalore Dragons for ₹8.60 lakh.
Two Local Players in Each Team
For this season, the Maharaja Trophy has made it mandatory for each franchise to include two local players from their respective regions.
This move aims to provide opportunities to homegrown talents and give them a platform to showcase their skills. Interestingly, all matches in the tournament will be played behind closed doors, adding a new dynamic to the competition.
With strong bids and promising lineups, the upcoming season of the Maharaja Trophy T20 promises thrilling cricketing action.
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