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Team India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Devdutt Padikkal has hit the headlines for attracting the highest bid at the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2025 auction. Padikkal last featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, marking his superb comeback in RCB after four years. In Challengers maiden title win, he chipped in with 247 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 150.60. He exited the marquee tournament in the round-robin stage after picking up the hamstring injury. In recent times, Padikkal has performed superbly in the limited-over formats of the game. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, he played only three matches and scored 196 runs in three matches at an average of 65.33.
His disciplined performances has helped him to get a lucrative contract of INR 13.20 lakh from the 2023 champions Hubli Tigers at the 2025 auction. With this price, he emerged as the most-expensive player at the auction. Following Padikkal, Abhinav Manohar and Manish Pandey grabbed the second-highest bids as they got INR 12.20-lakh contract apiece. Karnataka pacer Vidwath Kaverappa became the third-most expensive player after getting snapped up for INR 10.80 lakh. In the bowlers’ segment the speedster became the costliest player.
KSCA T20 to be played from August 11
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 will be held from August 11 to 27 at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and during this period, no spectators will be allowed at the venue. It is yet to be known why this decision was taken by the tournament organisers. The upcoming tournament will be the fourth edition of KSCA.
In 2022, the maiden installment of KSCA was played and Gulbarga Mystics became the first champions after beating Bengaluru Blasters in the final of the competition. In 2023, Hubli Tigers lifted the trophy while in 2024, Mysore Warriors emerged victorious.
