Women’s Premier League has been a huge step in the history of women’s cricket. For the past couple of years, it was a hot topic for everyone to discuss and finally, it is happening with some of the major women cricketers taking part in the tournament.
The much-awaited auction of the WPL 2023 is set to take place on February 13 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Out of the 1525 registered players, 409 players have been shortlisted for the big affair.
Out of these, only 90 players will find buyers as there are only five teams competing in the inaugural edition of the WPL which will be held between March 4 to 26. Each team has a purse of Rs 12 crore and they can make their team within this amount only. The players are placed in the categories of Rs 50 lacs, 40 lacs, 20 lacs, and 10 lacs.
Big names like Harmanpreet Kaur, Shefali Varma, Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry will definitely be on everyone’s list. As the auction is around the corner, let us take a look at the top five bowlers who will fetch millions on the big day:
#5 Radha Yadav
Left-arm orthodox from India would be in special demand on the day of the auction as Radha Yadav is having a rich experience in T20I cricket. Being a Mumbaikar, She knows the conditions well of both the stadiums where the games will take place. Radha has picked up 65 wickets in 63 T20I matches to date.
At the moment, she is considered to be a T20 specialist and the buyers would not stop their bids to get her in their squad. Radha will surely be a top name in the WPL auction.
#4 Sarah Glenn
Franchises are always interested in having a leg-break bowler when it comes to the shorter formats of the game. We have seen that earlier in the IPL auctions having a leg-break bowler earns a hefty amount on most occasions. Sarah Glenn is a perfect bowler for the middle overs for franchises that need a spin specialist.
Sarah Glenn will be one of the players who can go big in the WPL auction
Her base price is just Rs. 30 lacs which means she is set to be on the list of two-three franchises for sure. The 23-year-old would like to make full use of the turning pitches in India with her flighted deliveries. She made her T20I debut in 2019 and picked up 48 wickets so far.
#3 Renuka Thakur Singh
The rising fast bowler for the Indian women’s team Renuka Thakur has been exceptional so far for the side. She has picked up 24 wickets in the 27 games played to date and is surely on the list of several franchises. Undoubtedly, the bidders would look for more Indian players and T20 specialists like Thakur will certainly get a team.
The woman from Shimla began her career in October 2021 and became a crucial part of the squad early. She has a decent economy in the shortest format of the game which is another reason for keeping an eye on her during the auction.
#2 Nonkululeko Mlaba
The South-African left-arm orthodox bowler is having a great time these days with the performances she is giving over the last few games. She has picked up 28 wickets to date in the T20I and will surely go on to be the next big thing in world cricket.
Nonkululeko Mlaba has been effective for her national side in the T20I since her debut
Mlaba has set her base price as 30 lakhs and being an overseas spinner, all franchises would like to go for her. She has a good economy in T20s which will be a big reason for her to get a good amount.
The 22-year-old was the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in the recently concluded tri-series with an economy of just over 3. She will be a fruitful buy for the franchises in the upcoming auction.
#1 Sophie Ecclestone
All-rounder Sophie Ecclestone is one of the big names in the upcoming auction. She has a base price of Rs. 50 lacs, still, the English cricketer will earn quite more than that. She has a rich experience of featuring in 65 T20I where she has taken 86 wickets at an economy of under 6.
The left-arm orthodox bowler will have an advantage over others because she can be handy with the willow as well.
The 23-year-old picked up 10 wickets in the triangular series including South Africa and New Zealand in 2018, where she was unplayable. She is often compared with the veteran Daniel Vettori because of her tall height. She brings variation with her deliveries and will be effective on the Indian pitches.