The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction was held on December 9 in Mumbai, where 30 players were sold to the five franchises for a total of INR 12.5 crore. The auction saw some fierce bidding wars, some surprising snubs, and some smart bargains. Here are some of the highlights of the WPL 2024 auction:

• The Splurge: The most expensive buy of the auction was India’s star batter Smriti Mandhana, who was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping INR 3.4 crore. Mandhana, who has played 102 T20Is and scored 2368 runs, had set her base price at INR 50 lakh. However, her recent form in the WT20I series against Australia, where she scored 152 runs in three innings, including a match-winning 86 not out, made her a hot property in the auction. Mandhana will join the likes of Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, and Renuka Singh in the RCB squad, which looks formidable on paper
• The Steal: The most value-for-money buy of the auction was Australia’s all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who was bought by Gujarat Giants for INR 3.2 crore. Gardner, who has played 48 T20Is and scored 744 runs and taken 29 wickets, had a base price of INR 50 lakh. However, her impressive performances in the WBBL 2023, where she scored 414 runs and took 10 wickets for Sydney Sixers, and the WT20I series against India, where she scored 73 runs and took four wickets, made her a sought-after player in the auction. Gardner will team up with Beth Mooney, Harleen Deol, and Radha Yadav in the Gujarat Giants squad, which looks balanced and versatile
• The Surprise: The most surprising buy of the auction was India’s young all-rounder Richa Ghosh, who was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 1.9 crore. Ghosh, who has played 10 T20Is and scored 98 runs and taken one wicket, had a base price of INR 20 lakh. However, her potential and promise, which she showed in the U19 T20 World Cup 2023, where she scored 165 runs and took four wickets, and the WT20I series against Australia, where she scored 44 runs and took one wicket, made her a surprise pick in the auction. Ghosh will add depth and variety to the RCB squad, which has invested heavily in young talent
• The Snub: The most notable snub of the auction was England’s opener Tammy Beaumont, who went unsold for the second consecutive year. Beaumont, who has played 99 T20Is and scored 1721 runs, had set her base price at INR 40 lakh. However, her recent form in the WBBL 2023 and the WT20I series against Australia, where she scored only 296 runs and 31 runs respectively, may have deterred the franchises from bidding for her. Beaumont will have to wait for another year to make her debut in the WPL, which is one of the most prestigious and competitive women’s cricket leagues in the world

Players sold in WPL2024 action and the auction amount:

These are some of the highlights of the WPL 2024 auction, which saw some new and exciting talents being picked by the franchises. The WPL 2024 is expected to be a thrilling and competitive tournament, where the best players from around the world will showcase their skills and talent. The WPL 2024 will be played from March 4 to March 26, 2024, across two venues in Mumbai