WPL Auctions Underway: Mandhana Sold to RCB For Rs 3.4 Crore; Harmanpreet to MI For Rs 1.8 Crore

Smriti Mandhana became the first player to be bought in the auction of the inaugural WPL season. RCB robed in the star batter for a whooping sum of Rs 3.4 crore. Following the star batter was Harmanpreet Kaur for Mumbai Indians. The Ambani team bought the services of the star player for Rs 1.8 crore.

Ashleigh Gardner was the second most expensive player, who was bought for Rs 3.2 crore by the Gujarat Giants. New Zealand allrounder Sophie Devine became the first overseas player to be sold at the WPL auction when she was bought by RCB for Rs 50 lakh.

In the second set, Deepti Sharma was fetched for a sum of Rs 2.60 crore from UP Warriorz. Tahila McGrath also went to the former team. Right arm pacer known for her swinging ball art has been sold to RCB for Rs 1.50 Cr.

A total of 1525 players registered for the WPL Player Auction. 448 players have made it to the final list. Out of these, that will go under the hammer, 269 are from India, 179 are overseas players including 19 from associate nations. Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz are the five franchises.

For the inaugural season of WPL, the auction purse with each franchise is Rs 12 crore (US$ 1.46 million approx.). Capped players had the option of choosing their base prices at these brackets – Rs 30 lakh, Rs 40 lakh or Rs 50 lakh. Uncapped players have their base prices at Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh.