The first-ever Women’s Premier League (WPL) Auction was a bumper event with millions of eyeballs glued to the screen from across the world.
India opener Smriti Mandhana became both the first player to go under the hammer and the most expensive buy, with Royal Challengers Bangalore picking her for a whopping INR 3.4 crores. Nat Sciver (Mumbai Indians) and Ash Gardner (Gujarat Giants) were the most expensive overseas pickst at the WPL auction, for INR 3.2 crore.
Meaning Behind WPL’s Logo
Before the start of the bidding at the WPL auction, BCCI President Roger Binny, secretary Jay Shah and treasurer Arun Dhumal unveiled the logo of the WPL 2023.
The logo is a silhouette of a female cricketer, swinging her bat, with the tournament’s name written next to it.
Speaking about the seminal moment in the history of women’s cricket, Roger Binny said, “It’s a landmark today for women’s cricket as we begin a new journey. The Women’s Premier League is going to change the landscape of women’s cricket.”
He added, “Interest that women’s cricket has garnered is overwhelming. Hope the players are going to go under the hammer are as excited as us. There will be domestic players as well who will be hoping to make a mark for their franchise and eventually for their countries as well. We have seen unheard talents becoming household names in the men’s league. Hopefully that is what happens in the WPL as well.”
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🙌 🙌
🎥 Presenting the Women's Premier League (WPL) Logo 👏 👏#WPLAuction pic.twitter.com/zHxTZ1Pc6z
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 13, 2023
The inaugural WPL Auction saw 87 players being sold, out of the maximum limit of 90, and out of those 84, all overseas slots of 30 players were filled, with each team buying 6 overseas players.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has gone to Mumbai Indians, for 1.8 crore, while Delhi Capitals’ broke the bank for Jemimah Rodrigues who bagged herself a INR 2.2 crore contract.
UP Warriorz splashed INR 2.6 crore for the Agra-born all-rounder Deepti Sharma, making her the second-most expensive Indian. Up also roped in the the No.1 ranked T20I bowler, Sophie Ecclestone, for INR 1.8 crore.
Only one player from the Associates – Tara Norris of USA – was sold in the WPL Auction.
