Cricket is a game of second chances, and Simran Shaikh has grabbed hers with both hands. The Mumbai-based all-rounder, once overlooked, has now become the most expensive player of the WPL 2025 auction. Gujarat Giants made a bold statement by securing her services for a staggering INR 1.9 crore, making her the costliest buy of the season.
For someone who went unsold in 2024, this turnaround is nothing short of extraordinary. But Simran’s journey has never been easy. Coming from Dharavi, Mumbai’s largest slum, she battled against the odds, first playing cricket with boys in her locality before finding her way into professional circuits. With her father working as an electrician and growing up in a family of ten siblings—four sisters and five brothers—she had to carve her own path in the sport.
Simran was part of UP Warriorz in WPL 2023 but endured a forgettable season. In nine matches, she managed just 29 runs, with her highest score being 11. Following that underwhelming campaign, she was released from the squad and went unsold in the next auction. However, instead of fading into the shadows, she fought her way back.
She rekindled her form in Mumbai’s local leagues, eventually earning a spot in the city’s U-19 women’s team. Her standout performances continued in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy (October-November 2024), where she scored 176 runs in 11 matches, averaging 22 with a strike rate of 100.57. These performances put her back on the radar, setting the stage for her stunning WPL comeback.
As the WPL 2025 auction unfolded, Simran was watching, completely unaware of what was about to happen. She expected a modest bid but ended up witnessing a bidding war that changed her life, “I was just watching the auction, and I am still in shock. I expected to be picked for 10-12 Lakhs, but I never imagined getting a crore.”
For a player who once struggled to cement her place in the league, this was a moment of validation. The Gujarat Giants showed immense faith in her, and Simran is determined to repay that trust.
The real challenge, however, begins now. The WPL has given her a second chance, but it is up to Simran to prove that she belongs on the big stage. She understands the responsibility that comes with the price tag and is ready to rise to the occasion, “Gujarat Giants picked me, and I felt proud of myself. Now it’s my turn to prove myself. GG has done their job and now it’s my time to do mine.”
With Michael Klinger as head coach and Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner leading the side, Gujarat Giants will be looking for a fresh start in WPL 2025. After finishing at the bottom in the previous season, the Giants will be keen to turn things around.
The Giants begin their campaign at home, playing their first three matches at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium (BCA Stadium) before heading into a string of away fixtures. Their season opener is set for February 14, where they will take on defending champions RCB.
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