Mumbai hosted the TATA Women's Premier League (WPL) auction for the second edition, which will be organised in the first quarter of 2024. It was an exciting auction where we experienced some surprises. Here we are going through the top five most expensive players in the 2024 WPL auction.
On December 9, 2023, the WPL 2024 auction was organised in Mumbai. A total of 165 players, 104 Indian cricketers and 61 foreign cricketers (including 15 players from ICC Association Members), were set to go under the hammer in that auction, while only 30 spots were available, including nine overseas slots.
At the WPL 2024 auction, all the remaining slots were booked as all five teams (Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants) were busy adding their favourite players.
WPL 2024 Auction: Top 5 most expensive players
Phoebe Litchfield (Gujarat Giants) – INR 1 crore
The 20-year-old Australian cricketer Phoebe Litchfield was the fifth most expensive player in the WPL 2024 auction as Gujarat Giants bought her for INR 1 crore. Her base price was INR 30 lakh. After her international cricket debut in December 2022, she has played 11 WODIs, five WT20Is, and one WTest for Australian Women.
Shabnim Ismail (Mumbai Indians) – INR 1.20 crore
Mumbai Indians bought the 35-year-old South African legendary pacer Shabnim Ismail for INR 1.2 crore. In the WPL 2024 auction, her base price was INR 40 lakh. The second-most WODI wickets taker and fourth-most WT20I wickets taker has played 127 WODIs, 113 WT20Is, and only WTest.
Vrinda Dinesh (UP Warriorz) – INR 1.30 crore
The 22-year-old uncapped Indian cricketer Vrinda Dinesh received the highest bid of INR 1.30 crore from UP Warriorz, while the Karnataka player’s base price was only INR 10 lakh.
Kashvee Gautam (Gujarat Giants) – INR 2 crore
The 20-year-old uncapped Indian cricketer Kashvee Gautam also stunned at the WPL 2024 auction. Starting from her base price of INR 10 lakh, her bid moved to INR 2 crore as Gujarat Giants ultimately bought her. She has now set the record for the most expensive uncapped player in the WPL auction history.
Annabel Sutherland (Delhi Capitals) – INR 2 crore
The 22-year-old Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland was the joint most expensive player in the WPL 2024 auction. Starting from the base price of INR 40 lakh, Sutherland’s bidding price moved to INR 2 crore as Delhi Capitals won her bid. She has played 23 WODIs, 22 WT20Is, and three WTests.
