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December 22, 2024
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As the women’s premier League (WPL) gears up for its third season, the anticipation surrounding the 2025 mini-auction is palpable. Scheduled for December 15 in Bengaluru, this auction promises to reshape team strategies, introduce new talent, and continue the legacy of elevating women’s cricket on a global stage. Here’s a comprehensive look at what fans can expect from the WPL 2025 auction.
• Date and Venue: The auction is set to take place on December 15 at the ITC Gardenia in Bengaluru, providing a central stage for what will be a day of high-stakes biding.
• Budget and Slots: Each franchise will have a purse of INR 15 crore, an increase from the previous year’s INR 13.5 crore, allowing teams more financial leeway to acquire talent. Terms can fill up to 19 slots, with a maximum of 14 Indian and 5 overseas players.
• Players on Offer: Approximately 120 players are expected to be up for auction, with 91 Indian and 29 overseas cricketers ready to find new homes for the 2025 season.
Before the auction, teams made crucial decisions on player retentions and releases, which set the groundwork for their auction strategy:
• Delhi Capitals (DC) retained players like Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma but released experienced players like Poonam Yadav, aiming to inject fresh talent into their squad.
• Gujarat Giants (GG) let go of international stars like Lea Tahuhu and Sneh Rana, signaling a possible rebuild with a purse of INR 4.4 crore, the highest among the teams.
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) released Heather Knight, the England captain, along with other players, focusing on strategic additions to support their defending champions’ title.
• UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians also made strategic releases to align with their vision for the upcoming season, with Mumbai retaining their core including Harmanpreet Kaur.
• Heather Knight: After being released by RCB, the England skipper is back in the auction pool, potentially attracting high bids.
• Sneh Rana: An All-rounder with a proven track record, her release by GG makes her a hot commodity for teams looking for versatility.
• Poonam Yadav: Her experience could be invaluable, although her recent form has been under scrutiny, she remains a player teams might take a chance on.
• Lea Tahuhu: Known for her pace, she’s another international player with much to offer, especially to teams lacking in bowling resources.
The auction will be broadcasted live on Sports 18 and Jio Cinema, ensuring fans can follow every bid, hammer drop, and strategic move. The dynamics of this auction might see:
• Aggressive Bidding: With increased purses, teams might be more willing to splurge on players who can make a significant impact or are in high demand.
• Focus on Uncapped Talent: Following the trend from previous auctions, there might be a keen interest in uncapped Indian players, offering teams the chance to mold these talents into superstars.
• Strategic Purchases: Teams will look to balance their squads with a mix of experience and youth, international flair, and domestic reliability.
The WPL 2025 auction isn’t just about team composition; it’s a testament to the growth of women’s cricket, providing a platform where talent from around the world can shine. As teams finalize their squads, the league looks forward to another season of competitive cricket, where new stories will be written, and perhaps new legends will be born. The auction sets the stage for what promises to be an electrifying season, building on the momentum form previous years to further cement the WPL’s role in the global cricketing landscape.