In a significant shuffle ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Avesh Khan, the pace sensation, has been traded from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to Rajasthan Royals (RR), while Devdutt Padikkal has made a move from RR to LSG. The trading window witnessed these moves on Wednesday, providing an early glimpse of the player dynamics for the upcoming season.
Avesh Khan, known for his right-arm pace, brings a wealth of experience with 47 IPL matches and an impressive tally of 55 wickets to his credit. Having represented LSG in 22 matches since joining in 2022, he adds depth to the RR bowling lineup. The trade was facilitated based on Avesh’s existing fee.
On the other side of the trade, Devdutt Padikkal, a proficient left-handed batter, will now don the colors of LSG after his stint with RR. With 57 IPL matches to his name, Padikkal has showcased his batting prowess, amassing 1521 runs, including a hundred and nine half-centuries. His move to LSG is set at his current fee, marking a strategic adjustment for both franchises.
This trade follows LSG’s earlier move of Romario Shepherd to Mumbai Indians (MI) this month, making it the second significant player exchange in the prelude to the IPL 2024. The teams have until November 26 to finalize their retention lists, setting the stage for the player auction scheduled in Dubai on December 19.
In another development, Gautam Gambhir, who served as the mentor for LSG over the past two years, bid farewell to the Lucknow-based franchise. During his tenure, LSG achieved third-place finishes in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, securing playoff berths but falling short of the title.
Gambhir, a former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, will now make a return to KKR, the team he guided to IPL glory in 2012.