The excitement around the Women’s Premier League (WPL) continues to grow as the third season of this popular tournament prepares for its mini auction. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the auction will take place in Bengaluru on December 15, 2024. With a mix of experienced players, rising stars, and international talent, the auction is set to be an exciting event.
In this article, we take a closer look at the details of the mini auction, the players involved, and some key highlights that fans should keep an eye out for.
Here's how the 5⃣ Teams stand ahead of the #TATAWPL Auction 🙌 pic.twitter.com/IVPttQnl0J
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) November 8, 2024Mini Auction Details
The WPL 2025 mini auction will feature a total of 120 players, including 29 foreign cricketers. This group of players has been carefully selected, with 90 uncapped Indian players making up the majority of the list. Additionally, there are three players from associate countries, making the competition even more global. However, only 19 spots are available across the five franchises, as most teams have already retained their core players.
The auction will take place in Bengaluru, and it promises to bring fresh energy to the tournament with young and talented players hoping to make their mark in one of India’s most anticipated women’s cricket leagues.
Key Players to Watch
The list of players for the mini auction includes some intriguing names, ranging from seasoned international stars to promising young talents. Let’s take a look at some of the standout players who have been shortlisted for the auction.
1. Young Fast Bowler: Anshu Nagar
A notable addition to the auction list is Delhi’s 14-year-old fast bowler, Anshu Nagar. With this inclusion, Nagar will become the youngest player to participate in the WPL 2025 auction, showcasing the growing presence of young talent in women’s cricket. Despite her age, Nagar’s performance has caught the attention of many, and it will be fascinating to see which franchise bids for her services.
2. Veteran All-rounder: Heather Knight
On the other end of the age spectrum is 34-year-old Heather Knight, one of the oldest players to feature in the WPL auction. Knight is a stalwart of English cricket and brings a wealth of experience to the table. As an all-rounder, she offers both batting and bowling capabilities, making her an attractive option for any team. Her leadership skills and tactical acumen could also prove invaluable to the franchise that secures her.
3. English Stars: Lauren Bell, Sarah Glenn, and Maia Bouchier
The English contingent is well-represented in the auction, with players like Lauren Bell, Sarah Glenn, Danielle Gibson, and Maia Bouchier making the list. Bell, in particular, is a surprise inclusion after being released by the UP Warriors last season. She has set her base price at ₹30 lakh, and it will be interesting to see how the bidding war plays out for this promising fast bowler.
4. Deandra Dottin and Lizelle Lee
Two of the most exciting foreign players in the WPL 2025 mini auction are Deandra Dottin from the West Indies and South Africa’s Lizelle Lee. Both players are explosive with the bat and bring strong experience to any team. Dottin’s powerful hitting and Lee’s consistency will surely make them highly sought after when the auction kicks off.
WPL 2025 Franchise Retention and Remaining Purse
Ahead of the mini auction, each of the five franchises has retained key players for the upcoming season. Here’s a look at the retained players and the remaining purse for each franchise:
1. Mumbai Indians (MI)
Retained Players: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Amanjot Kaur, Saiqa Ishak, Jintimani Kalita, S Sajna, Siver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kar, Chloe Tryon, Shabnam Ismail, Kirtana Balakrishna.
Remaining Purse: ₹2.65 crore
Mumbai Indians have retained a solid mix of experience and youth, with their captain Harmanpreet Kaur being a key figure. The team still has a good purse left, making them a strong contender in the auction.
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Retained Players: Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Renuka Thakur, Asha Shobana, Shreyanka Patil, Ekta Bisht, S Meghna, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (traded), Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux, Kate Cross, Kanika Ahuja
Remaining Purse: ₹3.25 crore
RCB has kept a strong lineup, including Indian stars like Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh. With the largest remaining purse, they will likely make some aggressive moves during the auction.
🗣 𝑶𝑭𝑭𝑰𝑪𝑰𝑨𝑳 𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑪𝑬𝑴𝑬𝑵𝑻: 𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵 𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻
Presenting to you the early bird entries to our Class of 2025! ❤
With a dynamic mix of youth, experience, talent, and flair, these Retained Champions are primed to defend our #WPL silverware! 🏆… pic.twitter.com/7mhXbtqE2h
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) November 7, 20243. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Retained Players: Shefali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tania Bhatia, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepti, Minnu Mani, Titas Sadhu, Meg Lanning, Ellyse Capsey, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Annabel Sutherland.
Remaining Purse: ₹2.5 crore
Delhi Capitals have retained some key international players, including Meg Lanning and Marizanne Kapp. While their purse is smaller than some others, they still have enough to make a few strategic additions.
4. UP Warriors (UPW)
Retained Players: Alyssa Healy (captain), Kiran Navgire, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Anjali Sarwani, Uma Chhetri, Poonam Khemnar, Saima Thakor, Gauhar Sultana, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Sophie Ecclestone, Chamari Atapattu, Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Vrinda Dinesh.
Remaining Purse: ₹3.9 crore
UP Warriors have a solid squad, with big names like Alyssa Healy and Sophie Ecclestone. Their substantial remaining purse of ₹3.9 crore puts them in a strong position to target high-profile players in the auction.
5. Gujarat Giants (GT)
Retained Players: Harleen Deol, Dayalan Hemalatha, Tanuja Kanwer, Shabnam Shakeel, Mannat Kashyap, Sayali Sathgare, Meghna Singh, Priya Mishra, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Laura Wolvaardt, Phoebe Litchfield, Kashvi Gautam, Bharti Fulmali.
Remaining Purse: ₹4.4 crore
Gujarat Giants have retained some solid international players like Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, and Laura Wolvaardt. With the largest remaining purse, they could be active participants in securing top-tier talent at the auction.
What to Expect from the Auction
As the WPL 2025 mini auction approaches, the excitement among fans and franchises is palpable. The auction will feature a healthy mix of experience and youth, with international stars from across the globe making their way to the league. Teams are expected to target players who can fill specific roles, especially as franchises look to build well-rounded squads with strong domestic and international combinations.
The presence of young stars like Anshu Nagar and established players like Heather Knight ensures that the auction will be full of surprises. With most franchises having retained key players, the mini auction could see some intense bidding wars, especially for the high-profile foreign players.
As the auction unfolds, all eyes will be on which teams strengthen their squads and which players become the most coveted in the 2025 season.
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