Over 160 players have signed up for the WPL auction happening in Mumbai on Saturday. There are 30 openings to be filled among the five franchises.
Over 160 players have signed up for the WPL auction scheduled in Mumbai on Saturday, where 30 slots will be filled among the five franchises.
Overseas picks
There are just 9 slots left, so the demand for international players is not high, but anticipate significant signings coming from this pool. Keep an eye on players like Chamari Athapaththu, the Sri Lankan captain who didn’t secure a team in the first edition but performed exceptionally well in the WBBL in Australia. Also, Danni Wyatt strengthened her position with a game-changing innings for England against India in the first T20I in Mumbai.
A surprising release among the players was South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail. In the first season, she had to be rotated due to UP Warriorz already having four confirmed overseas starters. Now, she might find a team that can better utilize her services. Keep an eye on Australian players Amanda Jade-Wellington and Phoebe Litchfield. Additionally, it will be interesting to see if any team takes a chance on the retired but still a potential game-changer, Deandra Dottin. Both Dottin and Kim Garth have entered the auction with the highest base price of Rs 50 lakhs.
In the Indian squad facing England in Mumbai, Mannat Kashyap is the only one without a WPL team. The young player, who showcased her skills at the U19 World Cup, is expected to attract interest on Saturday. Mannat, a left-arm spinner, displayed excellent control at the World Cup and has made a positive impression in her opportunities with the India A team. Among the experienced Indian players, S Meghana stands out as a good choice for teams seeking a domestic opener. It would also be surprising if Uma Chetry, a powerful wicketkeeper-batswoman, doesn’t receive a bid, especially considering her impressive performances against England A.
Devika Vaidya didn’t perform at her best in the previous campaign, but if available at the right price, she could be a valuable addition to most teams as an all-rounder. Keep an eye on a couple of uncapped Indian players, namely Mumbai’s leg-spinner Prakashika Naik and Karnataka’s Vrinda Dinesh. They might turn out to be noteworthy prospects in the auction.
