In a significant move ahead of the IPL 2024 season, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise finalized a trade with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), swapping pacer Avesh Khan for top-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal. The agreement between the franchises and players was settled last week and is expected to be officially ratified by the BCCI this week.

Avesh Khan, who was secured by LSG for a whopping Rs 10 crore in the previous mega auction, faced a disappointing 2023 season. Despite LSG making it to the playoffs, he struggled, managing only eight wickets in nine matches with an economy rate of 9.76.

On the other end of the trade, RR acquired Padikkal for Rs 7.75 crore. Despite a promising start in his IPL career, Padikkal faced challenges in the last season, falling short of expectations in the top-order role assigned to him. He amassed 261 runs in 11 matches at an average of 26.1, securing two half-centuries.

This trade marks a new chapter for both players. Padikkal will join LSG, becoming his third franchise, while Avesh Khan moves to RR, also marking his third franchise. Avesh, originally debuting at Delhi Capitals in 2021 and subsequently playing a pivotal role at LSG in their maiden IPL season, struggled to perform on the slower tracks in Lucknow this season. His move to RR presents an opportunity to regain his confidence, joining an Indian pace attack that includes Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Sandeep Sharma, and KM Asif.

As the IPL gears up for the next season, franchises have until November 26 to declare their retention lists, while the player auction is scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 19.