Players who could grab a lot of attention in 2024 WPL Auction

Inaugural auction in February 2023. First edition in March 2023. Second auction in December 2023. 

The Women’s Premier League is growing thick and fast. It’s been more than eight months since Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals in the grand finale of the WPL 2023, and the cricket fraternity is now ready to welcome the next edition. 

The players have already been retained and released. All eyes will now be on the second auction, which is happening in Mumbai on Saturday (December 9). So, here are some of the overseas players who could grab a lot of attention in the auction:

Chamari Athapaththu (INR 30 lakh)

The left-handed opener from Sri Lanka went unsold in the last auction but will likely be one of the top buys on Saturday. The 33-year-old has been in some form of late. In 2023, Athapaththu has slammed 1169 runs in 33 innings at an average of 38.96 and a strike rate of 132.4. Any team would love to have someone like her in their top-order, but Athapaththu’s aggressive game against spin also makes her a good fit at Nos. 3/4. 

Athapaththu, who is averaging close to 70 in ODIs this year, was phenomenal in the recently concluded Women’s Big Bash League. Playing for Sydney Thunder, the batter emerged as the second-highest run-getter, amassing 552 runs @ 42.46 and a strike rate of 127.18. What’s more, she also claimed nine wickets at an economy of 6.83 with her off-spin. She was named Player of the Series. Now, why would you not want her in your team?

Deandra Dottin (INR 50 lakh)

The World Cup-winning all-rounder from West Indies is one of the biggest match-winners in women’s cricket. The 32-year-old has the ability to win you games single-handedly and could dismantle any opposition on her day. Dottin, who is one of the two overseas players to have opted for the highest reserve price, was picked by Gujarat Giants in the last auction but was released on medical grounds even before the competition got underway.

The all-rounder was clearly not happy with the decision and would want to turn things around in the next edition. Dottin, however, has already retired from international cricket and hasn’t been in great form this year. She is averaging just 21.68 with the bat in 2023 and has managed to pick up just one wicket. She has only bowled five overs this year, but if fully fit, Dottin could be a force to reckon with.

Danielle Wyatt (INR 30 lakh) 

Another star batter who surprisingly went unsold in the last auction. But that might not be the case this time around, considering she is averaging 36.1 at a strike rate of 152.5 in 30 T20s this year. The right-hander from England has the ability to take the attack to the opposition in the first six overs and also has a solid record in India. In 20 innings, Wyatt has smashed 572 runs @ 31.77 and a strike rate of 138.5.

Earlier this year, Wyatt was the leading run-scorer in the Charlotte Edwards Cup (273 runs at an SR of 150). That’s not it, the opener also smoked 295 runs @ 32.77 and an SR of 141.14 in the Women’s Hundred, the most in the competition. Even in the first T20I against India on Wednesday, Wyatt hit 75 off 47 deliveries. We all know how in-form players are treated in the auction, so expect her to fetch big bucks.

Shabnim Ismail (INR 40 lakh)

The right-arm quick has retired from international cricket but that hasn’t affected her form. The 35-year-old from South Africa, who played for UP Warriorz last season, featured in the Women’s Hundred, the Women’s Caribbean Premier League and the WBBL and did well in all three tournaments. 

She claimed 11 wickets at an economy of less than 6 in The Hundred and followed it up with a four-wicket haul in the WCPL final. Then in the WBBL, Ismail took 13 wickets at an average of 23.2 and an economy of 6.2. She is someone who can bowl quick and you won’t find such players in India. 

Amanda-Jade Wellington (INR 30 lakh)

A spin-bowling all-rounder. Who doesn’t want that in their T20 XI? Wellington wasn’t part of the Australian squad that won the T20 World Cup earlier this year but has won the WCPL and the WBBL since then. She didn’t participate in the last auction but will surely grab a lot of attention in this one.

The legspinner scalped eight wickets at an impressive economy of 4.8 in the WCPL and followed it up with a stellar WBBL season, taking 23 at a strike rate of 12.8 and an economy of 5.5. Amongst 25 bowlers who picked up 12 or more wickets in the last WBBL season, Wellington was the only one with an economy of less than 6.