The Women’s Premier League concluded on February 14th, and it was a bumper auction for all the players involved. What was all the more remarkable is how some uncapped players got picked, and this list will focus on those players whose journeys and careers are worth unraveling.
Shweta Sehrawat (UP Warriorz):
The Indian U19 winning star has been the talk of the town for the right reasons. She was acquired by the UP Warriorz team for a handsome sum of 40 Lakhs. She was instrumental for India in the U19 campaign notching up 297 runs in seven games at a strike rate of 140, emerging as the tournament’s highest run-getter. With her wily off-spin, she was a value buy for the franchise and will certainly make a mark in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League.
Parshavi Chopra (UP Warriorz):
While often the focus of the victorian U19 team is on the likes of Shweta Sehrawat, Shafali Verma, Titas Sadhu, and Richa Ghosh, Parshavi Chopra was one of the most notable names picked for a decent 10 Lakhs in the auction. She scalped 11 wickets at a brilliant economy rate of 3.66 and ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker; she had the campaign to remember and certainly did not go unnoticed by the talent scouts.
Minnu Mani (Delhi Capitals):
The 23-year-old Minnu Mani from the Wayanad district of Kerala was picked for 30 Lakhs, and with her humble background and the adversities she has seen in her life, this bid for her was massive. Her performances in the age group cricket and now in the domestic cricket ecosystem have been nothing short of inspirational.
Jasia Akhtar (Delhi Capitals):
A giant in the domestic circuit, the 34-year-old Jasia Akther has been quietly raking up the big runs and making her presence felt. Being picked by Delhi Capitals for a modest 20 Lakhs, she has made a mark for herself in the One Day and the T20 format and most recently, her prolific run in the Senior Women’s T20 and One Day Trophy makes her an attractive acquisition by the Delhi franchise.
Dhara Gujjar (Mumbai Indians):
A reliable middle batter has been crucial for West Bengal’s prospects for a long time, and with her brilliant performances in her domestic outings, her acquisition by the Mumbai Indians for a steal of 10 Lakhs did not come as a surprise.
Other uncapped players to watch out for are:
Shreyanka Patil (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Sneha Deepthi (Delhi Capitals), Disha Kasat (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Hurley Gala (Gujarat Giants).
I am a first year postgraduate student pursuing a MA in Media and Communication Studies at Christ University, Bengaluru. I am a podcaster, blogger and an avid cricket fan. When not glued to cricket matches, you can find me submerged in books and thinking about cricket all the time.