Indian batsman Devdutt Padikkal became the most expensive player in the history of the tournament’s auction when he was purchased by the Hubli Tigers for an incredible INR 13.20 lakhs at the 2025 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Auction.
With the largest purse of INR 41.50 lakhs, the Hubli Tigers, the runners-up from the previous season, made sure to get Padikkal. In addition, Hubli obtained the second-highest signing of the auction, Abhinav Manohar, for INR 12.20 lakhs. The Hubli-based club will have a potent batting lineup with Padikkal and Manohar together.
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Devdutt Padikkal led his team to the semi-finals last season while playing for the Gulbarga Mystics, scoring 253 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 140.55. In spite of this, the Mystics decided to cut him before the 2025 season, keeping players like Smaran R and Luvnith Sisodia, who led the team in runs scored the previous season.
Devdutt Padikkal played for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2024 Indian Premier League just a year ago.
Only 38 runs were scored by the southpaw in seven innings. At a starting price of INR two crore, he was selected by the host team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), for the 2025 season. He batted at number three and amassed 247 runs at a strike rate of 150.61 in 10 games, including two fifty-runs. Before suffering an injury that interrupted his season before the playoffs, he played a vital role in the middle.
The 2025 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 auction’s best purchases:
Devdutt Padikkal (Hubli Tigers): INR 13.20 lakhs
Abhinav Manohar (Hubli Tigers): INR 12.20 lakhs
Manish Pandey (Mysore Warriors): INR 12.20 lakhs
INR 10.80 lakhs for Vidwath Kaverappa (Shivamogga Lions)
Bengaluru Blasters’ Vidyadhar Patil: INR 8.40 lakhs
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