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The anticipation is building as the second edition of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) gears up for its auction on December 9, 2023, in Mumbai. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the list of 165 players who will be part of the auction, making it an event that promises excitement and keen competition.
The auction pool comprises 104 Indian players and 61 overseas players, with 15 hailing from associate nations. A closer look at the list reveals a balanced mix of 56 capped players and 109 uncapped talents, setting the stage for teams to craft a winning combination.
Each franchise will have a total of 30 slots, including nine for overseas players, providing ample opportunities for teams to strengthen their squads with both seasoned campaigners and emerging stars.
Two players, Deandra Dottin from the West Indies and Australia’s Kim Garth, have set the stage alight with the highest base price. They will enter the auction with the prestigious top bracket, reflecting their prowess on the cricketing stage.
Adding more excitement to the bidding war, four players, namely Annabel Sutherland (AUS), Georgia Wareham (AUS), Amy Jones (ENG), and Shabnim Ismail (SA), will kickstart the auction with a base price of INR 40 Lakhs.
Here’s a snapshot of the squad sizes, salary caps, and purse amounts for each franchise:
- Delhi Capitals (DC): 15 players, 5 overseas players, INR 11.25 crores spent, INR 2.25 crores salary cap available, 3 slots available, 1 overseas slot.
- Gujarat Giants (GG): 8 players, 3 overseas players, INR 7.55 crores spent, INR 5.95 crores salary cap available, 10 slots available, 3 overseas slots.
- Mumbai Indians (MI): 13 players, 5 overseas players, INR 11.4 crores spent, INR 2.1 crores salary cap available, 5 slots available, 1 overseas slot.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): 11 players, 3 overseas players, INR 10.15 crores spent, INR 3.35 crores salary cap available, 7 slots available, 3 overseas slots.
- Uttar Pradesh Women (UPW): 13 players, 5 overseas players, INR 9.5 crores spent, INR 4 crores salary cap available, 5 slots available, 1 overseas slot.
The Gujarat Giants, captained by Sneh Rana in the absence of Beth Mooney, lead the chart with the most available slots (10), including three for overseas players. They also have a substantial salary cap of INR 5.95 crores.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals, under the leadership of Meg Lanning, have a more settled side with only three slots remaining, one of which is for an overseas player. Their salary cap stands at INR 2.25 crores.
As the auction day approaches, the franchises will be strategic in their selections to assemble a formidable team that enhances their chances of clinching the coveted TATA WPL title. Cricket enthusiasts await the auction’s unfolding drama, expecting surprises, big bids, and perhaps some strategic steals in the quest for cricketing glory.
