Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have agreed on a major trade ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction. LSG pacer Avesh Khan hvave been moved to the Rajasthan-based franchise. In return, RR have released their underutilised opener Devdutt Padikkal who had to bat out of his position in the presence of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Avesh was roped in for a whopping Rs 10 crore in the IPL mega auction. On the other hand, Padikkal's services were acquired for Rs 7.75 crore. They were retained by their respective franchises for the 2023 season. Both players did not live up to expectations in the previous season.
Padikkal was not as good for Royals as he was for Royal Challengers Bangalore. From 28 games, he managed to score 637 runs at an average of 23.59. He managed to score just three half-centuries. Also, his strike rate was 125.88.
It will be the third franchise for both players. Before representing LSG, he played for Delhi Capitals (DC). Avesh struggled on slow home pitches at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Often, he would not finish his quota of four overs. In nine games in IPL 2023, he managed to take just eight wickets and leaked boundaries as well.
However, it will be interesting to see whether he gets a long run in a side that already includes Indian fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna, Navedeep Saini, and Kuldeep Sen.
Also, Padikkal may not get to open at LSG as well. They already have captain KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock opening the innings. Also, when De Kock warmed the benches, it was Kyle Mayers who opened the innings alongside Rahul.
Sanju Samson-led RR finished fifth on the points table, missing the playoffs place by a whisker. LSG were knocked out of the title race by Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) after facing an 81-run defeat in the first eliminator.
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