In the second edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) player auction, scheduled for Saturday, December 9, in Mumbai, bids will be placed on the shortlist of 165 players for a maximum of 30 vacancies across five teams. Only nine overseas player slots are available, with a unique option for collaboration, particularly between Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
As expected, the three teams securing spots in the WPL knockout – reigning champions Mumbai Indians (13), runners-up Delhi Capitals (15), and third-placed UP Warriors (13) – have opted for stability and consistency in their squad choices. On the flip side, seasoned teams have released more than half (10) of their 18-member squads, while RCB has introduced changes to its coaching setup, releasing some of its foreign players.
This sets the stage for a calm auction, potentially favorable for companies like DC and MI, who have the smallest purse and may only be active in the market for reinforcement. Giants, with the largest purse, have the advantage of negotiating and strategizing a bit more. While attention will be on improvements, ruling out a potential comeback by Baybacks cannot be entirely dismissed.
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka):
A familiar face in the strong women’s franchise circuit, Athapaththu’s absence from WPL 2023 initially surprised many. However, her recent outstanding performances have caught the scouts’ attention once again, earning her a spot in the shortlist.
Last year, she was part of the mega auction, bringing laughter with her witty comments. Her breakthrough moment came during the 2023 T20 World Cup, where she backed her words with brilliant performances. Although Sri Lanka didn’t reach the semifinals, Athapaththu played pivotal innings, helping them secure their first ODI series win against New Zealand.
Post-WPL, despite not finding buyers in various leagues, her form was hard to ignore. When a late call-up came as a replacement for Sydney Thunder, she topped the run charts in the league, accumulating 552 runs (second-highest overall) and taking nine wickets. Her exceptional all-round display earned her the Player of the Tournament title. Known for her experience, adaptability, and unique skills, Athapaththu might become the most expensive buy in this mini-auction.
Base Price: 30 Lakhs INR
Potential Interest: Gujarat Giants and UP Warriors, along with teams looking to bolster their initial season performances.
These are just a few players to watch out for as the WPL auction unfolds, promising an intriguing mix of talent, strategy, and bidding wars on Saturday.
Danni Wyatt (England)
An explosive salami batsman who is adept at handling spin in the middle overs, Wyatt has an ongoing love affair with Indian pitches. Wyatt missed out the last time, this is a real mind teaser. However, she claims to have control over it, and this time too, she has done her job. This reminds us of her destructive capabilities in the nick of time in her 150th T20 match of her career played three days before the auction. Wyatt played a brilliant inning of 75 runs off 47 balls, turning England’s poor start into a run feast at Wankhede, giving the visiting team a 1-0 lead in the current series.
However, this wasn’t a one-time thing. In 19 T20 matches on Indian soil, Wyatt has scored 548 runs at an average of 32.23 and a strike rate of around 135, including two 40-run innings in the 2019 Women’s T20 Challenge final in Jaipur and a career-best effort of 124 in Mumbai against the host team. Not just records, her current form is also working in her favor. She was the player of the final in the 2023 Champions Sadarn Brave, scoring a hundred (59 off 38 balls) and finishing at the top of the season’s run charts with 295 runs in nine matches, averaging over 141. Before that, she ended the 2023 Charlotte Edwards Cup as the leading run-scorer – 273 runs with an average of 45.5 and a strike rate of 150 – despite playing only six innings. With a lower base price this time, Wyatt is likely to attract some bids.
Base Price: ₹30 Lakhs
Teams that might be interested: Giants and Warriors are expected to be in the race again.
Annabel Sutherland (Australia)
In the first edition, her low returns could have played a role in Giants’ decision, but with Rachel Haynes in charge, it’s hard to see why the organization wouldn’t invest in the long-term leadership potential for Australia.
The cricketer may also be of interest to UPW, which is certain. Regardless, in Sydney, Sutherland made a striking start to the opening night victory for Melbourne Stars over Sydney Sixers – contributing a fantastic all-round performance with the bat (34 runs off 22 balls) and then taking 4 for 27 to seal the win. It was a memorable WBBL for the all-rounder, who topped the charts for her team with 288 runs and was third on the list of wicket-takers with 23 wickets, maintaining an economy of just over 7. With Meg Lanning’s absence, Stars have secured a hat-trick of wins on the back end, thanks to Sutherland.
Base Price: ₹40 Lakhs
Teams that might be interested: In search of a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder, RCB is sure to show interest here. UPW might be completely out of the race.
Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)
She is fast, she is menacing, and she is now a specialist in league cricket. Let’s face it; she was in a rage too. The former Proteas speedster was more than what Warriors needed, and she was underutilized in the previous season. After spending 1 crore, UPW has now (mutually) separated her from the setup, making her possibly the most sought-after foreign pacers in the upcoming auction. Ismail put paid to the disappointment of the double-header in the following game where her main attraction of the tenure was a hat-trick in the last over, saving four runs off three balls and securing a dramatic win for Welsh Fire in the WBBL. She followed it up with a four-wicket haul in the WBBL final for Hobart Hurricanes, though in vain. She has recently performed well for Hobart Hurricanes in the ongoing BBL season, taking 13 wickets with an economy of just 6.22.
Base Price: ₹40 Lakhs
Teams that might be interested: The big guns have almost empty slots for a fast bowler, and they will be eager. In the absence of Megan Schutt, RCB might throw its hat in the ring again. Also, the Warriors will be keen to sign her for their pace-bowling department.
Devika Vaidya (India)
The most expensive Indian purchase for UPW at ₹1.4 crore in the auction, Vaidya now finds herself back in the auction pool before the second edition. However, it can’t all be doom and gloom. Vaidya brings a unique skill set to the table – a genuine domestic all-rounder who bats in the middle order, can handle spin, bowls leg-spin, and is a live wire in the field. Since then, she has got a chance to play in the Indian colors with the bat, though Bangladesh series and Asian Games, contributing consistently with the ball, where India won gold. Currently out of favor with England T20I, she may face stiff competition from Australia’s Amanda Jade-Wellington, who has thrown her hat in the ring this time and has delivered an impressive performance in the recent WBBL season (23 wickets, third-highest).
It can’t be another seven-digit check – maybe that’s why the Warriors might have left her out in the first place – but there’s no reason to believe that Vaidya won’t find takers. With both RCB and MI having almost vacant slots for a leg-spinner, RCB in particular, might be interested in boosting their middle order with experienced Indian all-rounders.
Base Price: ₹30 Lakhs
Teams that might be interested: RCB and MI are the two teams actively in the market for a leg-spinner, and there is no reason why the Warriors themselves won’t be eager to sign her again.
Reserves: Top-flight experience might be lacking, but they come with an unforgettable advantage – being the fifth foreign pick in the last XI.”
Tara Norris (USA)
In WPL 2023, Norris brought in a new dimension. After representing the United States in international cricket, she entered the fray as an associate player and became a flagbearer when Delhi Capitals acquired her for 1 million rupees. Capitals, the only team with the advantage of an associate player in their lineup, promptly launched the tall, left-arm fast bowler. Norris dismantled the RCB’s renowned batting lineup and returned with a fifer, reminding other teams of what they missed. However, as wickets fell and conditions favored spin, DC benched her strategically. While she could have had an incongruous season in English domestic cricket, the ‘associate’ tag and the impact left by Norris could bring her an enhanced paycheck this time.
Base Price: 1 million rupees
Teams that might be interested: RCB and Giants, both working on improving their pace department.
Sarah Bryce (Scotland)
Scottish wicketkeeper Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy’s leading run-scorer with 395 runs in the inaugural season, Bryce impressed with five 50+ scores in six innings. Since her T20I debut in 2018, she has been a consistent performer for the Scotland team – strong against spin and quick behind the stumps. Partnering with the associate label, she could be an exciting prospect for franchises. In the T20 World Cup Europe Regional Qualifier 2023, Bryce gathered impressive numbers for scouts. Being the top run-scorer in the tournament, she scored 176 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 132.33, helping Scotland qualify for the global qualifier. The younger of the Bryce sisters, turning 24 next month, Sarah played a crucial role in Scotland’s T20 series win against Ireland, scoring an unbeaten 57* off 44 balls while chasing 118.
Base Price: 1 million rupees
Teams that might be interested: Giants, who released Sushma Verma and need a backup keeper for Beth Mooney, and DC also require a backup keeper.
Unknown/Potential X-factor
They are consistently rising in the Indian domestic statistics, and their talent aligns with what WPL wants to showcase.
Mannat Kashyap (Uncapped Left-arm Spinner)
The 19-year-old left-arm spinner had an impressive start in the U19 World Cup, being India’s second-highest wicket-taker. Despite a slow start, she capitalized on the opportunity against Scotland, taking a four-fer. Though she couldn’t secure a bid in the first WPL auction, her performance in the ACC Emerging Cup final, where she turned the game with a three-fer, might earn her a contract this time. Despite average returns in the recent T20 series against England, Kishore received her first call-up to the senior team for the upcoming England T20I series.
Base Price: 1 million rupees
Teams that might be interested: Mumbai and RCB, with an eye on the national team’s captain and vice-captain, are keen on this talented player. Established teams might also browse through her capabilities, while DC needs a backup spinner.
Uma Chhetri (Uncapped Keeper-Batswoman)
The first Assamese to earn a call-up for India, Chhetri has shown a rapid rise in domestic cricket. Her quick elevation in the current goal group is evident, as she was initially selected as the backup for Yasika Bhatia during the Bangladesh tour but lost her spot due to the return of Richa Ghosh. However, in the early matches against England A, Chhetri played a crucial role as a useful opener in low-scoring encounters. Her impressive glovework and swift starts promise a long-term investment in a young, top-order keeper-batswoman.
Base Price: 1 million rupees
Teams that might be interested: Capitals initially. Her competition with Taniya Bhatia for a good performance or omission can create pressure for a positive outcome.