History was made at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai which witnessed the first-ever Women’s Premier League auction on February 13 (Monday). The five teams were there to outbid each other for the best cricketing talent around the world for the tournament’s first-ever season starting next month. Crores of rupees were spent, life-changing deals made in what would be a day to remember for the ages especially from the viewpoint of women’s cricket in the world.

Smriti Mandhana became the first-ever player to be sold at the Women’s Premier League auction. She was sold for INR 3.40 Crore to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Not only was she the first player but she also became the costliest buy at the inaugural WPL auction. 

Let’s have a look at the top 5 most expensive buys of WPL 2023 Player Auction:

5. Jemimah Rodrigues

Fresh from a match-winning knock against Pakistan at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa, Rodrigues was the fifth most expensive purchase at the WPL Auction 2023. She was bought for INR 2.20 Crore by the Delhi Capitals.

4. Deepti Sharma

The Indian alll-rounder was the fourth most expensive player at the WPL Player Auction 2023. The 25-year-old has been the most successful T20I all-rounder in recent years and remains the only player to score over 400 runs and take 40 wickets in T20Is since 2021. She was sold for INR 2.60 Crore to the Delhi Capitals.

3. Natalie Sciver

England’s Nat Sciver was expected to be among the overseas stars who could fetch a fat pay cheque and that’s exactly what happened at the WPL Players Auction 2023. Sciver was roped in by Mumbai Indians for a price of INR 3.20 Crore.

2. Ashleigh Gardner

Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, along expected lines, was the joint-second most expensive purchase in WPL Auction. She was bought by the Gujarat Giants for INR 3.20 Crore.

1. Smriti Mandhana

India’s vice-captain fetched the highest bid in the WPL Auction. She received a whopping INR 3.60 from Royal Challengers Bangalore. She is also likely to be the team’s captain as indicated by Mike Hesson, part of the Bangalore franchise’s support staff.