Three Hyderabad cricketers shone in IPL 2022 auction. While the local team Sunrisers Hyderabad once again ended the auction without buying a single Telugu cricketer, the other franchises included three Hyderabadis in their squad. All-rounder N Tilak Verma was acquired by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.70 crore, midfielder Rahul Buddhi was sold for Rs 20 lakh, while medium-pacer Chama Milind was roped by the Bangalore Royal Challengers for Rs 25 lakh. A total of 15 Hyderabadis participated in the auction but the franchisees leaned towards these three.

Among the Hyderabadi cricketers, franchises are more interested in all-rounder Tilak Verma. The Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings initially bid for Tilak who hails from Serilingampally. However, with Mumbai exceptionally competitive, the bid, which started at a minimum price of Rs 20 lakh, has crossed Rs 1 crore. Eventually, Rajasthan and Chennai fell behind and Mumbai bagged him. The 19-year-old Tilak has scored 164 runs in 16 first-class matches so far, including three centuries and half-centuries.

Chama Milind of Gachibowli, who has been instrumental in the success of the Hyderabad senior cricket team for three years, excelled at last year's Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and Vijay Hazare tournaments. Milind took six wickets (6/63) against Jharkhand in Vijay Hazare Tournament two months ago and created a sensation by knocking down eight wickets for eight runs against Uttar Pradesh in the Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in November. With this, Milind is the hot favorite in this auction. However, due to lack of competition from franchises, RCB acquired the bowling all-rounder for less price.

Rahul Buddhi, a resident of Maula Ali, is a left-handed batsman. Rahul, who has been leading the Evergreen Club in the Hyderabad Domestic Leagues for three years, has led the team to two wins and one runner-up. Rahul made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2019-20, first-class cricket in January 2020. Playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy the following year, he made his debut in all three formats.