WPL Auction 2023: Records, Highlights, and Analysis

The Women's Premier League (WPL) auction of 2023 was held in Mumbai on April 13, and it set a new standard for women's cricket. The auction saw 87 players sold for a total sum of ₹59.50 Cr, making it one of the most significant events in women's cricket history. In this article, we will analyze the key highlights of the auction and provide a comprehensive analysis of the teams and their purchases.

RCB: The Smriti Mandhana Show
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made headlines by acquiring Smriti Mandhana for the highest bid of ₹3.40 Cr. The Indian opener has been in excellent form lately, and RCB has put their faith in her by making her the captain of the team. Mandhana's powerful strokeplay and leadership skills make her a valuable asset for any team, and RCB has made a smart investment in her. Along with Mandhana, RCB has put together a formidable team comprising of talented players like Devine, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghose, Heather Knight, Megan Schutt, and other explosive batsmen.

Mumbai Indians: Kaur and Sciver
The Mumbai Indians made a statement in the auction by purchasing the Indian Women's Cricket Team Captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, for a whopping ₹1.80 Cr. Kaur is a proven match-winner, and her acquisition will boost Mumbai's batting lineup significantly. The Mumbai Indians also made the highest bid of ₹3.2 Cr for England's explosive batsman, Natalie Sciver, after Smriti Mandhana. Sciver's all-around abilities make her a valuable addition to the team, and her partnership with Kaur could be the key to Mumbai's success.

Delhi Capitals: The Young Guns
The Delhi Capitals surprised everyone by not buying any player in the first round of the auction. However, they made their first bid for India's youngest debutant, Shafali Verma, for ₹2 Cr. Verma currently holds the title of winning the India Under-19 World Cup Trophy for the first time, and it can be said that Delhi Capitals have included her as their captain, as she led the team to victory in the Under-19 World Cup. Moreover, Delhi Capitals made the highest bid of ₹2.2 Cr for Jemimah Rodrigues and also included other talented players in their team.

UP Warriors: Deepti Sharma Leads the Charge
The UP Warriors made their debut in the auction and secured Deepti Sharma for a whopping ₹2.6 Cr, who will now lead the team as its captain. Sharma is a proven all-rounder, and her acquisition will provide a significant boost to the UP Warriors. They also added Sophie Ecclestone, a brilliant bowler from England, for ₹1.8 Cr and Australian all-rounder Tahila McGrath for ₹1.4 Cr. Alyssa Healy and Devika Vaidya were also roped in for ₹70 lakhs and ₹1.4 Cr respectively.

Gujarat Giants: A Strong All-Round Team
The Gujarat Giants made some substantial purchases during the recent auctions. They acquired Ashley Gardner for a staggering ₹3.2 Crore and also added Bet Munni, Australia's wicket-keeper and opener batsman, to their team for ₹2 Crore. Additionally, Sophia Dunkley, Harleen Deol, and Sneh Rana were also included in the team.

Other Notable Purchases
Apart from the above teams and players, there were several other notable purchases during the WPL auction of 2023. The Supernovas acquired India's T20 captain, Harmanpreet Kaur's deputy, and one of the world's best all-rounders, Smriti Mandhana's opening partner, Jemimah Rodrigues, for ₹2.2 Cr. The Trailblazers made some valuable purchases as well, including Hayley Matthews, Rachel Haynes, and Nida Dar.

Conclusion
The WPL auction of 2023 was a landmark event for women's cricket, and it showcased the growing popularity of the sport. The teams made some smart investments, and the players acquired will undoubtedly make a significant impact in the upcoming season. With the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Natalie Sciver leading the charge, the tournament promises to be an exciting one.