The IPL 2024 auction is just around the corner, and teams are already making moves to strengthen their squads. In a significant trade deal ahead of the auction, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have agreed to exchange fast bowler Avesh Khan for top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal. Both players and franchises have agreed to the trade, and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is expected to approve it in the coming days.
The trade is particularly noteworthy as both Avesh and Padikkal were retained by their respective teams for the 2023 IPL season. Avesh Khan was bought by LSG for a staggering INR 10 crore in the 2022 IPL mega auction, while Padikkal was acquired by RR for INR 7.75 crore. However, both players struggled to find their form in the 2023 season, failing to live up to expectations.
In 28 matches since the 2022 season, Padikkal has managed to score only 637 runs at an average of 23.59 and a strike rate of 125.88, with just three half-centuries to his name. Overall, in his 57 IPL appearances, the 23-year-old has accumulated 1521 runs at an average of 26.10 and a strike rate of 125.39, including one century and nine fifties.
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On the other hand, Avesh had a remarkable season in 2021 for Delhi Capitals, emerging as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 24 scalps at an impressive average of 18.75. After being picked up by LSG in the 2022 IPL mega auction, he continued his impressive form, finishing as the team’s highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets from 13 matches.
However, Avesh’s performance dipped significantly in the 2023 IPL season. He could only manage to pick up eight wickets from nine matches at an average of 35.37 and an economy rate of 9.75. The 27-year-old will be eager to bounce back in the upcoming season with Rajasthan Royals, where he will join a formidable pace attack that includes Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Sandeep Sharma, and KM Asif.
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This trade marks the second significant move ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, with LSG trading all-rounder Romario Shepherd to Mumbai Indians earlier this month. Notably, all ten IPL franchises have a deadline of November 26 to announce their retentions ahead of the auction, which is scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 19.
