Women’s Premier League Auction 2023 : The much-awaited Women’s Premier League Auction was recently held in Mumbai, and it was a historic event in many ways. The franchise-based league saw five teams bidding fiercely to secure the best Indian and international talent for the upcoming season.
While there were some big-ticket purchases that made headlines, some shrewd picks also caught our attention. In this article, we take a closer look at the top five bargain buys from the WPL Auction 2023.
Harmanpreet Kaur – Mumbai Indians (1.8 Crores) ( Women’s Premier League Auction 2023)
Harmanpreet Kaur is a name that needs no introduction in the world of women’s cricket. The hard-hitting batter and inspirational leader has been a key figure for India over the years, and her exploits in the T20 format are well-documented. Kaur’s unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final remains one of the greatest innings in women’s cricket history.
At the WPL Auction 2023, Kaur was snapped up by the Mumbai Indians for 1.8 crores. Considering her experience and ability to change the game with the bat, this could turn out to be an absolute steal for the Mumbai-based franchise.
Sophie Devine – Royal Challengers Bangalore (50 Lakhs) ( Women’s Premier League Auction 2023)
Sophie Devine is a name that has been making waves in the women’s game for some time now. The New Zealand captain is a versatile all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball. She has a proven track record in T20 cricket, with over 2900 runs and 110 wickets to her name in international cricket.
At the WPL Auction 2023, Devine was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for just 50 lakhs. Given her ability to perform in high-pressure situations and her leadership qualities, this could be a shrewd signing for RCB.
Heather Knight – Royal Challengers Bangalore (40 Lakhs) ( Women’s Premier League Auction 2023)
Another England captain who caught the eye at the WPL Auction 2023 was Heather Knight. The middle-order batter has been a consistent performer for England over the years and was instrumental in their World Cup triumph in 2017.
Knight’s experience and leadership skills make her a valuable addition to any team, and the fact that she was picked up by RCB for a mere 40 lakhs makes it an even better deal. The Bangalore-based franchise will be hoping that Knight can replicate her international form in the WPL.
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Amelia Kerr – Mumbai Indians (1 Crore) (Women’s Premier League Auction 2023 )
Amelia Kerr is a name that is synonymous with records. The New Zealand all-rounder holds the record for the highest individual score in women’s ODI cricket (232*) and is the youngest player to score a double century across formats in international cricket.
Kerr is also a handy leg-spinner who has picked up 56 wickets in T20Is for New Zealand. Her versatility and potential make her a valuable addition to any team, and the fact that the Mumbai Indians secured her services for just 1 crore makes it a great bargain.
Sneh Rana – Gujarat Giants (75 Lakhs) ( Women’s Premier League Auction 2023 )
The final name on our list is that of Sneh Rana. The young Indian all-rounder has been making waves in the domestic circuit and was rewarded with a place in the national team last year. Rana is a handy left-arm spinner and a useful lower-order batter who can hit the ball a long way.
At the WPL Auction 2023, Rana was picked up by the Gujarat Giants for 75 lakhs. Given her recent form and potential, this could be a great investment for the Giants.
Conclusion
The Women’s Premier League is a great initiative.