'Pink suits you' - Twitter reacts as Rajasthan Royals rope in Devdutt Padikkal for INR 7.75 crore

Much of the cricketing world would be glued to their television as IPL 2022 mega auction is underway and has got off to a rollicking start. Various sides made key purchases that they felt would be advantageous for their team’s campaign this year and for the few seasons to follow. A total of 600 players are supposed to go under the hammer as reported before the auction. Teams have gotten into an intense bidding battle in order to acquire star players.

One of the names that started a bidding war between the various sides was left-handed-batter from Karnataka, Devdutt Padikkal. With a base price of INR 2 crore, Padikkal’s name attracted bidders in a jiffy. Initial takers for the Karnataka batter were his original franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore and the defending champions Chennai Super Kings. After a heated bidding war, CSK left the bid after INR 3.8 crore. It seemed like Padikkal would return to his home franchise, RCB but that is when five-time title winners Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals entered into the action.

The battle then ensued between Mumbai and Rajasthan as RCB left the bid at INR 4.40 Crores. Even though CSK briefly entered the bid again at INR 5.50 crore, they left soon. Following heated bidding, the Royals secured the star batter at a whopping price of INR 7.75 crore.

Devdutt Padikkal wasn’t retained by RCB

In a surprise move, the youngster was not retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the 2022 season following an average second-half of the IPL in 2021. The stylish southpaw from Karnataka made his debut in the 2020 edition of the IPL and has made 884 runs in the 29 matches that he has played at a decent average of 31.57  with a strike rate of 125.03. In his brief IPL career, he has made one century and six half-centuries.

It is safe to say that Rajasthan has made a great buy. Even though they have retained young opener Yashaswi Jaiswal ahead of this auction, Padikkal will be a great backup option for the Royals batting line-up. As earlier mentioned, with Jaiswal retained, it’ll be interesting to see if the classy-left hander gets an opportunity at the top.

Follow CricTracker’s IPL 2022 mega auction live blog here.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Pink suits you, DDP. 💗

Welcome to the #RoyalsFamily.@devdpd07 pic.twitter.com/Eag5OSLoMO

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 12, 2022

I hate it that Padikkal is not with RCB🤨

— Ravi Raghavendra (@RaviRaghavendra) February 12, 2022

Hmmm, who opens the batting for #RajasthanRoyals? Buttler, Jaiswal and now Padikkal at a stiff price!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 12, 2022

Dai rajashthan what are you going to do with so many openers! Unless they decide Padikkal and yashasvi open, Samson at No.3 and Buttler as keeper finisher. #IPL2022Auction

— Sairam Santhosh (@sai7ram) February 12, 2022

I would swap faf for padikkal

— Kabir | كبير (@not_kabirr) February 12, 2022

We tried our best it wasn’t meant to be.

Thank you for all the memories, and all the best for your next stint @devdpd07! You’ll always be one of our favourites! 🙌🏻#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPLMegaAuction #IPL2022 #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/rCiUGpWXjF

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 12, 2022

Padikkal to RR#RCBians – pic.twitter.com/7lZ3xaS4Kf

— Shaurya (@scuifer) February 12, 2022

In my opinion #RR had a great auction until the Devdutt Padikkal purchase. No doubt a great batsman. But if he plays, you need to push Jos down to 4. Not his best position. Apart from that, in Ashwin & Boult they have 2 stellar bowling options. #TATAIPLAuction #IPLMegaAuction

— Chirag Gupta (@ChiragG14) February 12, 2022

Will take this time to figure out why RR bought Padikkal. And spent 7+Cr on him as well.

— Manya (@CSKian716) February 12, 2022