The second day of the IPL 2025 mega auction was impacted by a major controversy. The auctioneer failed to see a bid from Delhi Capitals and sold youngster Swastik Chikara to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RCB started the bid at the base price of INR 30 lakh and got the player when the gavel came down, with no other franchise showing interest. However, this is when DC head coach Hemang Badani said that his team had raised the paddle.

The bid by DC went unnoticed. The 19-year-old opener played well in the UP T20 League 2024.

Auctioneer Mallika Sagar admitted her mistake, and despite Delhi’s protest, the player remained with RCB for INR 30 lakh. The rules of the auction clearly state that once the gavel falls, the sale is considered final.

Delhi Capitals’ co-owner Kiran Grandhi was angry at the outcome. “It cost us a chance to add a young player to our squad. This was a significant oversight,’ Gandhi said during a post-auction interaction.

Chikara scored 499 runs and won the MVP and Super Striker of the Season awards while playing for the Meerut Maverick in the UP T20 League.

He credited Virender Sehwag for his explosive batting. “I have always admired Virender Sehwag batting style,” he said.