The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction, which is slated to take place this Saturday in Mumbai, promises to be an exciting event, with the five contending teams preparing to engage in a bidding war for the talent required to launch a title challenge. On December 9, a total of 165 players - 104 Indians and 61 from other countries - will be auctioned off, and cricket fans around the world will be watching to see which players end up with which franchisee. While some of the auction's major stars, such as Deandra Dottin and Kim Garth, are likely to spark heated bidding wars, a few lesser-known auction pool members could potentially surprise everyone and secure rich contracts.
Here are a few players who could come as a surprise in the WPL 2024 auction:
(India) Mannat Kashyap:
Mannat Kashyap, who is available for a minimal base price of Rs 10 lakh, is expected to draw a lot of attention at the upcoming auction. The Delhi girl was a member of the Indian squad that won the Under-19 Women's World Cup in South Africa earlier this year, and she has already received her first senior team call-up as a member of the Indian squad for the present T20 series against England.
India's Devika Vaidya:
Devika Vaidya's expertise as a full-fledged Indian international will be a key draw in the next auction. The left-arm all-rounder is a skilled spinner who can also produce with the bat. She was also involved in a bidding war at the inaugural WPL auction earlier this year, with UP Warriorz eventually acquiring her services for a hefty Rs 1.4 crore. However, after a dismal season in 2023, she was removed from the squad before the WPL 2024 auction.
Sri Lankan Chamari Athapaththu:
The senior Sri Lankan captain has been a steady performer for her country for almost a decade, but she went unsold at the most recent auction. Given her current form, it's predicted that the Lankan opener will garner a lot more attention at the upcoming auction.
In the Women's Big Bash League 2023-24, she scored 552 runs in 14 innings and has 470 runs in 16 T20Is this year. She can also roll her arms for her team when needed. She may be a steal for any team searching for an experienced player and a leader on the field, with a starting price of just Rs 30 lakh.
Dinesh Vrinda (India):
Vrinda Dinesh of Karnataka could be a dark horse in the WPL 2024 auctions. With her power striking, the 22-year-old Meg Lanning enthusiast can light up any match and has been a consistent performer for her state team for years.
She recently made headlines after being named to India's under-23 squad for the 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Cup in Hong Kong.
The Women's Premier League 2024 Auction is expected to be an exciting affair, with potential surprise picks that could change the face of women's cricket. With great players ready to compete, fans and experts are looking forward to teams' strategic decisions, which will add intrigue and make it a must-see for cricket lovers. The auction provides an opportunity for both young and seasoned players to emerge, impacting their teams' success in the forthcoming season and marking a watershed event in women's cricket.
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