WPL: Will Gujarat Giants’ Risky Bet on Overseas Players Pay Off?
Women's Premier League
Women’s Premier League : The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 Auction witnessed the Gujarat Giants taking a distinctive approach by not opting for any big-ticket Indian players. The team managed to rope in 18 players, including six overseas players, with the remaining ₹7.15 crore of their 12-crore purse.
Noted cricket commentator and former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra highlighted that the Giants’ primary focus appeared to be on their foreign recruits. The team spent a significant portion of their budget on their overseas players, with Ashleigh Gardner being the most expensive at ₹3.2 crore, followed by Beth Mooney for ₹2 crore.
Chopra went on to say that the Gujarat Giants seemed to be less interested in buying Indian players, as they spent only a meager amount on their domestic picks. The only two Indian players selected by the Giants above ₹30 lakh were Sneh Rana (₹75 lakh) and Harleen Deol (₹40 lakh). Notably, Harleen Deol is the only Indian player in the current Women’s T20 World Cup squad.
Chopra observed that the team relied heavily on Mithali Raj’s domestic experience with Railways to pick relatively unknown Indian players. Harleen Deol and Sneh Rana were picked almost at their base price, with Chopra predicting that the Giants might struggle to create a stable batting order.
The cricket expert further stated that the Gujarat Giants would need to rely heavily on their foreign players to balance the team. He added that the team’s unconventional approach might lead to some overseas players batting out of position.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Gujarat Giants’ auction strategy, Chopra concluded by noting that a Gujarat-based team had previously surprised everyone with their maiden attempt in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Gujarat Titans had won the IPL title despite being considered the weakest team by cricket experts.
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The Gujarat Giants’ unorthodox approach at the WPL Auction 2023 may have left many cricket experts questioning the team’s selection strategy. However, only time will tell whether their foreign-heavy squad can overcome the apparent lack of firepower in the Indian contingent.
The team’s success will heavily depend on the performances of the overseas players they have recruited, especially Ashleigh Gardner, who could also be a potential captain. The Giants will also have to figure out a stable batting order and hope that their inexperienced Indian players can contribute significantly.
In summary, the Gujarat Giants have taken a considerable risk by not investing heavily in Indian players. However, if they can manage to strike a balance between their foreign and domestic players, they might be able to create an upset in the upcoming WPL.
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