- Sri Lankan captain goes unsold in WPL 2024 despite WBBL success, sparking criticism.
- Foreign cricketers and seasoned Indian players like Kim Garth, May Jones, and Punam Raut miss out on WPL contracts.
- Rising Indian uncapped talents, Kashvee Gautam and Vrinda Dinesh, grab attention with significant auction sums, showcasing a focus on emerging players.
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction, held in Mumbai on December 9, brought forth a whirlwind of surprises and unexpected outcomes. While cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaited the selection of talent for the league’s second edition, the exclusion of several renowned players, including the recent standout performer Chamari Athapaththu, left the cricketing fraternity in shock.
Former Indian captain Anjum Chopra expressed her disbelief at the unsold status of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, despite her stellar performance in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Chopra, speaking on JioCinema, called the situation unfair, emphasizing that Athapaththu’s all-round abilities and recent exploits in the WBBL should have made her a hot commodity.
Chopra questioned,
“Here’s a player who can do two jobs for you and is still going unsold. How is it that these teams are not seeing the quality that this player possesses?”
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The list of unsold players in the WPL 2024 auction featured names that raised eyebrows across the cricketing world. Notable foreign players like Kim Garth, May Jones, Lea Tahuhu, Naomi Stalenberg, and others found themselves without a team for the upcoming season. The surprise snubs extended to Indian players as well, with seasoned cricketers like Punam Raut, Priya Punia, and Sushma Verma failing to secure contracts.
The auction dynamics took an unexpected turn as Indian uncapped players, notably Kashvee Gautam and Vrinda Dinesh, fetched substantial sums. Gautam, picked by Gujarat Giants for Rs 2 crore, and Dinesh, acquired by UP Warriorz for Rs 1.3 crore, emerged as top picks, reflecting a growing trend of recognizing and rewarding the potential of young, domestic talents.
Commenting on the hefty sums spent on these uncapped players, Saba Karim noted on JioCinema,
“India’s uncapped players have done well of late, and they are being rewarded for their performances.”
The emphasis on young talent was further underscored by the Delhi Capitals’ Rs 2 crore investment in all-rounder Annabel Sutherland. Abhinav Mukund suggested that Delhi Capitals were content with their auction strategy, focusing on strengthening their team.
Chopra raised concerns about the team dynamics following certain acquisitions, such as Delhi Capitals’ investment in Vrinda Dinesh. Chopra questioned where Dinesh would slot in, expressing worries about the pressure it could put on existing players like Shweta Sehrawat and Kiran Navgire. Despite these concerns, Chopra acknowledged that the significant sums spent on these young players reflected the confidence teams had in their capabilities.
The unsold list encompassed a diverse array of talents, from seasoned internationals like Tammy Beaumont and Deandra Dottin to promising Indian players like Devika Vaidya and Priya Punia. The reasons behind these high-profile snubs remain speculative, leaving fans and analysts pondering the intricacies of team strategies and player evaluations.
As the WPL 2024 auction dust settles, the cricketing world remains abuzz with discussions about the surprising snubs, the rise of young talents, and the unpredictable dynamics of team selections. The league promises an exciting blend of experienced and emerging players, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive and unpredictable season.
