RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal Emerges As Most Expensive Player

Bengaluru | July 16, 2025: The auction for the upcoming season of the Maharaja Trophy T20 League witnessed intense bidding as franchises competed fiercely for top cricketing talent. Held on July 15 by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the event saw a mix of established IPL names and rising stars going under the hammer.

Devdutt Padikkal Leads the Bidding War

Devdutt Padikkal, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, emerged as the most expensive player in the Maharaja Trophy T20 history. Despite an early injury cutting his IPL 2025 season short, his talent remained in high demand.

The Hubli Tigers franchise snapped him up for a record ₹13.20 lakh, showcasing strong faith in his abilities. Padikkal had earlier been bought by RCB for ₹3.20 crore during the IPL auction.

💰 Big Buys: Pandey, Manohar, and Gopal

Several other IPL players attracted significant bids:

• Manish Pandey (Kolkata Knight Riders) was acquired by Mysore Warriors for ₹12.20 lakh
• Abhinav Manohar (Sunrisers Hyderabad) also fetched ₹12.20 lakh, joining Hubli Tigers
• Shreyas Gopal, the seasoned leg-spinner who has played for Rajasthan Royals, SRH, and Mumbai Indians, was picked by Mangalore Dragons for ₹8.60 lakh

🌟 Focus on Local Talent

In a notable move, each franchise is required to include two local players from their respective regions. This rule aims to nurture homegrown talent and offer them a competitive platform.

Additionally, the KSCA confirmed that all matches will be played behind closed doors, adding a unique dynamic to the tournament atmosphere.

What’s Ahead

With a strong auction lineup and renewed focus on regional representation, the Maharaja Trophy T20 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and talent-rich editions yet.

Fans can expect exciting performances as franchises blend IPL experience with local promise—all under the spotlight of Karnataka’s premier T20 event.