NEW DELHI: The drama unfolded on the second day of the IPL 2025 mega auction when Delhi capitals And Royal Challengers Bengaluru caught up in a bidding war Swastika Chikara.
RCB initiated the bidding at the base price of Rs 30 lakh and secured the player at that amount. However, confusion arose when Direct current Head coach Hemang Badani claimed they also raised their paddle.
Auctioneer Maliika Sagar later acknowledged her oversight and admitted that she had missed DC's bid. Despite the misunderstanding, the player was loaned to RCB.
Chikara, the leading run-scorer in the UP T20 League 2024, was picked up by Delhi Capitals for Rs. 20 Lacs in the IPL 2024 auction. However, his debut season ended without an appearance.
Chikara made the UP T20 League 2024 his playground where he won the Orange Cap, MVP award and Super Striker of the Season title while leading Meerut Mavericks to victory.
Chikara takes a lot of inspiration from Virender Sehwag's attacking batting style, which he says has contributed to his own powerful batting abilities.
“I have watched Sehwag since childhood and listened to a lot about his batting exploits. That's why, just like him, I wanted to hit balls from the start and that's my attitude now – you have to hit the first ball – which is what I learned from him,” he said.
