Vrinda Dinesh and Kashvee Gautam Shine in WPL Auction
The WPL auction for the second season concluded in Mumbai, featuring 30 slots and over 160 players. All teams filled their maximum 18 slots, with noteworthy highlights including the impressive bids for Australia’s Annabel Sutherland and the uncapped Indian player Kashvee Gautam, securing Rs 2 crore from both the Delhi Capitals and the Gujarat Giants, respectively.
Rising Stars: Vrinda and Kashvee Make Their Mark
Uncapped Indian players continue to make waves in the WPL auctions, with Karnataka’s Vrinda Dinesh and Chandigarh’s Kashvee Gautam catching the spotlight. Both players earned recognition for their performances in the domestic circuit and their visibility from India ‘A’ call-ups. Vrinda, a powerful 23-year-old batter from Karnataka, and Kashvee, a 20-year-old seam-bowling allrounder from Chandigarh, capitalized on their opportunities, showcasing their talent in recent India ‘A’ series against England.
MI’s Unique Approach: No Australians in the Mix
In a surprising move, the Mumbai Indians stood out by not opting for Australian players, a trend seen across other teams in the WPL. Despite the dominance of Australian players in women’s cricket, the Mumbai Indians completed their overseas quota without a single Australian, instead signing up South African star Shabnim Ismail. Ismail, known for her exceptional pace, adds significant strength to the Mumbai Indians’ bowling lineup. The team’s decision reflects a strategic focus on diverse talent.
DC’s Big Bet on Annabel Sutherland
Delhi Capitals made a substantial bid for Annabel Sutherland, making her the most expensive overseas player of the day. The Aussie seam-bowling allrounder, previously with Gujarat Giants, brings proven quality to the team. Despite already having overseas all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen, Delhi Capitals seem confident in Sutherland’s potential, possibly influenced by her stint with Melbourne Stars in the WBBL under the supervision of DC coach Jonathan Batty and captain Meg Lanning.
The Missing Spark: Chamari Athapaththu
For the second consecutive edition, the WPL will miss the dynamic batting of Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu. Despite her recent stellar performances for Sri Lanka and a notable stint in the WBBL, Athapaththu went unsold in the auction. The absence of bids for her could be attributed to auction dynamics, as she entered as an allrounder in the batter-dominated first set. While her absence is a loss for the league, it underscores the unpredictable nature of auctions.
In summary, the WPL auction showcased the emergence of uncapped talents, strategic team choices, and surprising omissions, providing a glimpse of the exciting dynamics to unfold in the upcoming season.