WPL 2023: Rating teams based on their auction performance

Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mike Hewitt/Getty Images and RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) brought cheers to the faces of Women’s cricket fans and supporters with the announcement of the much-awaited Women’s Premier League (WPL). Earlier on February 13, 449 cricketers went under the hammer at the WPL player auction held in Mumbai. On the auction table, five franchises gave their best for the inaugural edition of the tournament too build strong teams.

Marquee names such as Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, and Harmanpreet Kaur were expected to attract the franchises and the same happened as they were sold for big bucks. Now, after the announcement of the WPL schedule, the fans and franchises will want the players to showcase their class in the competition. Along with these fabled names, the eyes will be set on young domestic players also as they will also have to show up and reinforce their teams with their phenomenal talent. While all teams did well during the auction, let’s look at the team that did the best job.

Here are ratings of the five teams based on their performances on the auction table

5.  Mumbai Indians (MI)

At the auction, Mumbai Indians (MI) bought 17 players of which some huge buys were England all-rounder Natalie Sciver-Brunt (INR 3.2 crore) and the Indian Women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur (INR 1.8 crore). Both players have been serving their respective countries for a long time and they will come together for MI and use their experience to win games with their skills.

After investing in both veterans, the franchise had 7 crores left in the purse. With that amount, the franchises roped in some other quality players such as the Indian pacer Pooja Vastrakar (INR 1.9 crore), wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia (INR 1.5 crore), New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr (INR 1 crore), and the West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews (INR 40 lakh).

However, spending a huge sum on Bhatia could cost the franchise as the 22-year-old hasn’t shown her best with the bat in the international circuit, especially in T20Is. So far, in 14 T20 International matches, the left-handed batter has scored only 142 runs at a strike rate of 86.58.

4. Gujarat Giants (GG)

Unlike other franchises, Gujarat Giants (GG) went for star overseas players instead of renowned Indian names at the auction. Their biggest purchase at the event was Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, who got sold at INR 3.2 crore. In 2022, the Aussie all-rounder looked exceptional racking up 216 runs and taking 15 wickets in 16 T20I matches.

GG’s second-biggest buy was Gardner’s compatriot Beth Mooney, who serves Australia as a wicketkeeper and opening batter. The veteran got picked for INR 2 crore by the franchise at the auction. This year, Mooney looked in a great rhythm against Pakistan. In the third One-Day International (ODI) against the Women in Green, she hit a century and helped the team to clean sweep the series.

After these two buys, GG signed Sophia Dunkley (INR 60 lakh), Annabel Sutherland (INR 70 lakh), Harleen Deol (INR 40 lakh), Deandra Dottin (INR 60 lakh), and Sneh Rana (INR 75 lakh). In the next month’s competition, it would be interesting to watch if GG’s gamble on foreign players would yield positive results for them or not.

3. Delhi Capitals (DC)

Delhi Capitals (DC) picked some amazing names at the WPL auction. The franchise showed faith in huge international names such as Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Australia’s Meg Lanning, and Protea all-rounder Marizanne Kapp. At the event, picking the Aussie captain Lanning at INR 1 crore proved to be a masterstroke as she can deliver brilliant performances with her bat and also brings in immense leadership qualities.

To strengthen their batting line-up DC splurged INR 2.2 crore on Rodrigues, who looked excellent recently. Just a day before the auction, she delivered a match-winning knock against Pakistan in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 and grabbed the attention of the franchise.

Realising the importance of spinners on the turning tracks of India, the franchise signed Radha Yadav for her base price of INR 40 lakh. Glancing at the current scenario, it could be said DC have formed an ideal squad that includes both youth and veterans and don’t have many flaws.

2. UP Warriorz (UPW)

UP Warriorz (UPW) targetted proven international names at the auction. The franchise grabbed some fabled international players such as Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, Alyssa Healy, and Shabnim Ismail. Of all these names, Sharma got a fine deal as the franchise reserved her services for the competition for INR 2.6 crore.

In 2022, Sharma showcased her skills as an all-rounder in T20Is notching up 370 runs and 29 wickets in 25 games. Going through these figures of the all-rounder, it could be said that the Warriorz’ investment in Sharma for the upcoming inaugural season of the tournament makes complete sense.

At the auction, the Warrioz believed in the Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy and the South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail and got them at INR 70 lakh and INR 1 crore respectively. Both these players will provide strength to the team with their vast experience and phenomenal skills. Notably, Healy has been named the side’s skipper for the inaugural WPL.

1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) kicked off the 2023 WPL auction in style as they bought star India batter Smriti Mandhana at INR 3.4 crore. Receiving the humongous sum at the auction, Mandhana became the costliest player of the tournament. Now, in the maiden WPL season, she will have to showcase her best not just with her bat but with leadership skills too as the franchise has appointed her as their skipper as well.

Australia’s iconic all-rounder Ellyse Perry and the young India wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh will also support her. The franchise paid INR 1.7 crore and INR 1.9 crore respectively to avail the services of both players, and also roped in India’s pace spearhead Renuka Singh Thakur for the mega event which is set to be held from March 4, 2023, to March 26, 2023.

However, one of the most successful deals of RCB in the auction was Sophie Devine’s purchase as the franchise signed the New Zealand player for her base price of INR 50 lakh. The right-handed Kiwi batter is delivering her services efficiently to her national team since 2006. Currently, the veteran is the second-leading run-scorer for New Zealand in the T20I format.