The Women's Premier League (WPL) mini-auction for the 2025 season concluded with a flurry of bids, surprises, and a spotlight on uncapped talent. While established stars like Heather Knight and Sneh Rana unexpectedly went unsold, a new generation of players emerged as the stars of the show, commanding impressive bids and signaling a shift in the league's landscape. The auction saw a total of 19 players finding new homes, with teams strategically bolstering their squads for the upcoming season.
Uncapped stars steal the show:
The highlight of the auction was undoubtedly the impressive bids received by uncapped players. G Kamalini, a talented all-rounder, was snapped up by Mumbai Indians for a whopping Rs 1.6 crore, while Simran Shaikh, a promising batter, joined Gujarat Giants for Rs 1.9 crore. These significant investments in young talent demonstrate the growing recognition of the depth and potential within the Indian women's cricket circuit.
Notable acquisitions:
- Gujarat Giants: The Giants made a splash by securing the services of Deandra Dottin (Rs 1.7 crore) and Danielle Gibson (Rs 30 lakh), adding firepower to their batting lineup.
- Mumbai Indians: Mumbai Indians, known for their astute auction strategies, picked up G Kamalini (Rs 1.6 crore) and Nadine de Klerk (Rs 30 lakh), strengthening their all-round capabilities.
- Delhi Capitals: The Capitals focused on bolstering their squad with young talent, acquiring Nandini Kashyap (Rs 10 lakh) and Nallapureddy Charani (Rs 55 lakh).
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: RCB invested in Prema Rawat (Rs 1.2 crore) and Joshitha VJ (Rs 10 lakh), adding depth to their bowling and batting departments.
- UP Warriorz: The Warriorz secured the services of Alana King (Rs 30 lakh), a key addition to their spin attack.
Surprises and snubs:
The auction also witnessed some unexpected turns. Sneh Rana, a member of the Indian national team, went unsold, raising eyebrows among experts and fans. Similarly, England captain Heather Knight failed to attract any bids, highlighting the unpredictable nature of auctions.
Full list of players sold:
- Deandra Dottin – Rs 1.70 Crore – Gujarat Giants
- G Kamalini – Rs 1.6 Crore — Mumbai Indians
- Nadine de Klerk – Rs 30 Lakh – Mumbai Indians
- Simran Shaikh – Rs 1.90 Lakh – Gujarat Giants
- Nandini Kashyap – Rs 10 Lakh – Delhi Capitals
- Prema Rawat – Rs 1.20 Crore – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Nallapureddy Charani – Rs 55 Lakh – Delhi Capitals
- Arushi Goel – Rs 10 Lakh – UP Warriorz
- Kranti Goud – Rs 10 Lakh – UP Warriorz
- Sanskriti Gupta – Rs 10 Lakh – Mumbai Indians
- Joshitha VJ – Rs 10 Lakh – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Sarah Bryce – Rs 10 Lakh – Delhi Capitals
- Alana King – Rs 30 Lakh – UP Warriorz
- Raghvi Bist – Rs 10 Lakh – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Jagravi Pawar – Rs 10 Lakh – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Niki Prasad – Rs 10 Lakh – Delhi Capitals
- Akshita Maheshwari – Rs 20 Lakh – Mumbai Indians
- Danielle Gibson – Rs 30 Lakh – Gujarat Giants
- Prakshika Naik – Rs 10 Lakh – Gujarat Giants
The WPL mini-auction has set the stage for an exciting 2025 season. The emergence of uncapped stars like G Kamalini and Simran Shaikh signals a new era for the league, with young talent taking center stage. The strategic acquisitions made by the teams promise a thrilling competition, with a blend of experience and fresh faces adding to the excitement. As the WPL continues to grow and evolve, this auction has underscored its commitment to providing opportunities for emerging talent and showcasing the depth of women's cricket in India.
