The anticipation surrounding the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction reached its peak on December 9, 2023, in Mumbai. With a total of 165 players set to go under the hammer, franchises strategized to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made strategic moves in the auction, acquiring a mix of experienced players and promising talents. Notable additions to their roster included Georgia Wareham (Rs. 40 Lakh), Kate Cross (Rs. 30 Lakh), Ekta Bisht (Rs. 60 Lakh), Shubha Satheesh (Rs. 10 Lakh), Sabbhineni Meghana (Rs. 30 Lakh), Simran Bahadur (Rs. 30 Lakh), and Sophie Molineux (Rs. 30 Lakh).
The retained players for WPL 2024 included Asha Shobana, Disha Kasat, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Indrani Roy, Kanika Ahuja, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana, and Sophie Devine.
Amidst this backdrop, the spotlight found its way to two uncapped Indian talents, Kashvee Gautam and Vrinda Dinesh, who stole the show with impressive bids of Rs 2 crore and Rs 1.3 crore, securing spots in the Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz squads, respectively.
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The auction marked a turning point for Kashvee Gautam, who, with a whopping bid of Rs 2 crore, became a standout name. The discussions around her potential inclusion in the Indian team added an extra layer of excitement to her acquisition. The Gujarat Giants, securing her services, not only expressed confidence in her immediate impact but also hinted at a long-term commitment, looking ahead to two more seasons.
Vrinda Dinesh, equally promising, clinched a bid of Rs 1.3 crore from UP Warriorz. The dynamic batter had drawn attention during trials, receiving invitations from various franchises. In a competitive bidding war, Warriorz emerged victorious, recognizing the potential Vrinda brings to the table.
The narrative of uncapped players shining bright continued to be a theme of the day. While seasoned international stars like Annabel Sutherland fetched high bids, the rise of talents like Kashvee and Vrinda showcased the evolving dynamics of the league.
As the franchises gear up for the Women’s Premier League 2024, the successful acquisitions in the auction signal a mix of experience and untapped potential, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead.
Gujarat Giants, having released half of its squad from the previous season, entered the auction with a clear strategy. The franchise aimed to address gaps in its lineup and strategically utilized its significant purse.
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The spotlight was on the uncapped Indian fast bowler Kashvee Gautam, who became the joint-highest buy of the auction at Rs. 2 Crore. Mithali Raj, the mentor of Gujarat Giants, expressed the importance of clarity regarding players’ roles in the team setup.
Mithali emphasized the challenge of handling uncapped players who fetch high prices, stating that confidence-building is crucial. She acknowledged the pressure on these players but highlighted their role as important supporting contributors.
The discussion shifted to the scouting process, where Mithali Raj mentioned having a team of individuals focusing on identifying talent from U-16, U-19, India A, and domestic levels. However, she emphasized the importance of aligning identified talents with the team’s composition and needs.
Notably, the mentor shared her sympathy for established players like Chamari Athapaththu, who went unsold due to the distinct requirements of franchises.
The uncertainty regarding the tournament venue posed a challenge for teams in making auction decisions. Mithali Raj suggested that the nature of the pitch, whether spinning or batting-friendly, significantly influenced team strategies. She expressed the desire for high-scoring games in the league.
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As a former India captain, Mithali Raj discussed the significance of Test cricket in a player’s development. She emphasized the need for more Test matches, suggesting that having only a one-off Test could hinder players’ understanding and adaptation to the format.
The auction saw notable highs and lows, with some uncapped players like Kashvee Gautam and Vrinda Dinesh grabbing attention. Kashvee, in particular, went from being unsold in the previous edition to becoming the joint-most expensive buy in this auction.
International stars like Chamari Athapaththu and Deandra Dottin went unsold, while Australia’s Annabel Sutherland emerged as the most expensive overseas player, securing a bid of Rs. 2 Crore.
The top five most expensive players in the 2024 WPL auction were Annabel Sutherland (Rs. 2 Crore to Delhi Capitals), Kashvee Gautam (Rs. 2 Crore to Gujarat Giants), Vrinda Dinesh (Rs. 1.3 Crore to UP Warriorz), Shabnim Ismail (Rs. 1.2 Crore to Mumbai Indians), and Phoebe Litchfield (Rs. 1 Crore to Gujarat Giants).
The auction featured capped and uncapped players across various categories, from batters and all-rounders to fast bowlers and spinners. Teams competed to secure the services of these players, with notable names finding new homes.
While some players secured lucrative deals, others went unsold. Notable unsold players included Deandra Dottin, Chamari Athapaththu, and Kim Garth. The franchises’ purses were updated, revealing the financial positions and available slots for Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and UP Warriorz.
The WPL 2024 auction showcased the dynamic nature of franchise cricket, with teams making strategic moves to build competitive squads. The uncertainties surrounding the tournament venue added an extra layer of complexity to the decision-making process. As the franchises gear up for the upcoming season, the spotlight remains on how these strategic acquisitions will translate into on-field success.