India opener Smriti Mandhana kick-started the historic WPL Auction on Monday in Mumbai as the left-hander became the first player to be sold in the auction. She was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore, who splurged INR 3.4 crore for the India vice-captain, who is set to lead the franchise in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) which will start from March 4.
Currently, the Indian women’s cricket team is in South Africa, taking part in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup. They had defeated Pakistan on Sunday, but the Indian vice-captain missed the game due to injury.
The women’s team players and the staff were all ecstatic as Mandhana’s name was brought up first in the auction.
In a video posted by broadcasters Jio Cinema, all the players and staff were keenly watching the historic WPL Auction. All went up in raptures as soon as Mandhana was sold to RCB for a whopping INR 3.4 crore.
You can watch the video here:
Video of the day – celebration by Smriti & Indian team. pic.twitter.com/djAS0lVb6n
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 13, 2023
Mike Hesson confirms Smriti Mandhana as RCB captain
RCB Director of Cricket Mike Hesson, who was present in the auction room, looked elated and satisfied with the acquisition of the Mandhana. RCB also secured the services of talisman Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry and New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine.
If any questions remained of who will be the captain of RCB, Mike Hesson all but put it to bed, underscoring that Mandhana is the likeliest to be named as the RCB skipper for the WPL 2023.
“Everyone knows Mandhana and Perry, we were pretty committed to the couple of people we wanted to get. we’re very happy to get such quality players. it’s a dream result for us to get Mandhana, Perry and Devine. Smriti has got plenty of captaincy experience and is familiar with the Indian conditions so highly likely [she’ll be captain]” Hesson said.
WPL squads so far:
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry
Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur
Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner
UP Warriorz: Sophie Ecclestone
