The 2025 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Auction saw a record signing as Indian batsman Devdutt Padikkal was signed by the Hubli Tigers for a then-all-time high INR 13.20 lakhs, becoming the most expensive player in the auction history of the tournament. The runners-up of the previous season, the Hubli Tigers, came into the auction with the largest purse of INR 41.50 lakhs and ensured that they secured Padikkal. Hubli also picked up Abhinav Manohar for INR 12.20 lakhs, the second-largest signing of the auction. Both Padikkal and Manohar will make for a powerful batting line-up for the team based in Hubli. Padikkal had represented Gulbarga Mystics in the previous season, scoring 253 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 140.55, taking his team to the semi-finals. But even that could not stop the Mystics from releasing him before the 2025 season, while keeping players like Luvnith Sisodia and Smaran R, who were the top run-scorers for the franchise during the last season. Also Read | 'Not Here for Holiday' - Gavaskar Targets Bumrah's Test Break Just a year earlier, Devdutt Padikkal played for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2024, scoring only 38 runs in seven innings. However, in the 2025 season, he was picked up by his home team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at his base price of INR 2 crore. Batting at No. 3, he bounced back strongly, amassing 247 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 150.61, including two half-centuries. He was key in the middle before his season was cut short due to an injury prior to the playoffs. Top Signings from 2025 Maharaja Trophy Auction Devdutt Padikkal: INR 13.20 lakhs (Hubli Tigers) Abhinav Manohar: INR 12.20 lakhs (Hubli Tigers) Manish Pandey: INR 12.20 lakhs (Mysore Warriors) Vidwath Kaverappa: INR 10.80 lakhs (Shivamogga Lions) Vidyadhar Patil: INR 8.40 lakhs (Bengaluru Blasters)