Avipsha Lala
- Dec 17, 2023
- 4 min read

WPL 2024 Auction: Top 5 India players in terms of value addition for franchises

WPL 2024 Auction: Top 5 capped India players in terms of value addition for franchises

WPL 2024 Auction: Ekta Bisht was sold to RCB W for INR 60 lakhs in Auction | Walking Wicket (Photo_ ©X_Twitter) — Ekta Bisht was sold to RCB W for INR 60 lakhs in Auction (Photo: ©X/Twitter)

The high-stakes WPL 2024 Auction witnessed intense bidding for top India’s cricket talents, resulting in Ekta Bisht, Meghna Singh, Veda Krishnamurthy, S Meghana, and Simran Bahadur emerging as the top picks. A detailed overview is presented, delving into their respective team allocations, anticipated roles, and the significant financial gains they secured, highlighting the potential impact they can create on their new franchises.

Ekta Bisht joins RCB W as their most expensive buy

Cricketer Ekta Bisht, hailing from Almora, Uttarakhand, has joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore in WPL 2024. Representing India internationally, Ekta is renowned for her prowess as a skilled slow left-arm orthodox bowler and a handy left-handed batter. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the first woman from India to secure a hat-trick in a Women's T20I match. Her proficiency as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler adds a potent dimension to RCB's bowling lineup, offering strategic options during matches.

As a left-handed batter, Ekta can contribute valuable runs to the team towards the end. With extensive international experience, she brings a good balance to the squad. Moreover, having been part of the Indian team that reached the final of the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, Ekta's experience could prove invaluable for RCB. Notably, her acquisition as the most expensive buy for RCB at Rs 60 lakhs highlights her significance as a valuable addition.

Veda Krishnamurthy bagged by Gujarat Giants at base price (30 lakhs)

Veda Krishnamurthy, a seasoned India cricketer who debuted at 18, is a capable right-handed batter and right-arm leg-break bowler. Besides representing the Indian national team, Veda has also played for the Karnataka Women's team and Railways. She holds the record for being the youngest cricketer to score 1000 runs in Women's One Day International cricket. Acquired by the Gujarat Giants at her base price of Rs 30 lakh in the WPL 2024 Auction, her inclusion offers several benefits to the team: Experience, leadership, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.

Veda Krishnamurthy's addition to the Gujarat Giants brings a wealth of experience from nearly a decade of international cricket. Her leadership skills, honed by guiding Karnataka to a senior domestic one-day trophy final, are expected to enhance the team's dynamics. Veda's versatility in both batting and bowling adds strategic depth, providing valuable options in different match scenarios.

Securing her at the base price reflects a cost-effective move by the Giants, allowing smart allocation of resources in other team areas. The Gujarat Giants, keen on revamping after finishing bottom in WPL 2023, strategically acquired 10 players, including big-name signings. Veda Krishnamurthy's addition could be pivotal in elevating the team's performance for the upcoming 2024 season.

Royal Challengers Bangalore acquire S Meghana at base price (30 lakhs)

Sabbhineni Meghana, born on June 7, 1996, is a right-handed India batter who has previously showcased her skills representing Andhra and South Zone. Making her Women's One Day International (WODI) debut on February 12, 2022, against New Zealand, she emerged as the top run-scorer in the 2021–22 Women's Senior One Day Trophy, amassing 388 runs, including a century and two half-centuries.

RCB managed to secure Meghana's talents in the auction at her base price of Rs 30 lakh. This move not only brings international experience to RCB but also adds versatility to their batting lineup. In a budget-conscious approach, RCB made several strategic signings in the WPL auction, including notable players like Ekta Bisht, Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross, Shubha Satheesh, Simran Bahadur, and Sophie Molineux, in addition to S Meghana.

IND W vs NZ W ODIs Series Review_ Indian Women lost ODI series by 4-1 against New Zealand. Pacer Meghna Singh during her run-up in a game against New Zealand Women (Photo: ©X/Twitter) — Meghna Singh bought by Gujarat for INR 30 Lakhs (Photo: ©X/Twitter)

Meghna Singh Comes in to bolster Giants with the ball

Meghna Singh, from Uttar Pradesh, stands as a notable figure in Indian cricket, showcasing her prowess as a right-arm medium bowler and a handy right-handed batter. Making her Women's One Day International debut against Australia on September 21, 2021, she has played 17 games in this format.

Meghna has also represented India in Test and T20I formats, contributing to the team's diverse skill set. In domestic cricket, she has been associated with Uttar Pradesh and Railways. The recent purchase of Meghna by the Gujarat Giants at her base price of Rs 30 lakhs in the WPL 2024 Auction holds significant potential for the team.

A capable pacer adds intrinsic value, providing an additional dimension to the team's bowling arsenal. Furthermore, Meghna's noteworthy performances on the global stage add promise to the Gujarat Giants' lineup. This strategic, economical addition aligns with the team's aim to complete a makeover after a challenging WPL 2023 season, making Meghna Singh one of the key assets for their 2024 campaign.

Simran Bahadur: A potential game-changer for RCB

Simran Bahadur is a noteworthy India cricketer known for her proficiency as a skilled right-arm medium-pace bowler and a right-handed batter. Representing India in both ODIs and T20Is, her recent signing with RCB in the WPL 2024 holds promise for many factors. Firstly, her adeptness as a medium-pace bowler adds strength to RCB's bowling lineup, offering valuable options during matches.

Additionally, as a right-handed batter, Simran contributes to the team's batting whenever needed. What makes her particularly valuable is her international experience, bringing a seasoned edge to the team. Simran Bahadur's entry into RCB has the potential to infuse a fresh dynamic into the team. The anticipation surrounding her on-field contributions adds an extra layer of excitement to RCB's campaign.

Thus, these five remarkable players have found new homes, each promising to bring their unique skills and experience to their respective franchises. From seasoned veterans to emerging stars, these players, with diverse skill sets, are set to reshape team dynamics. As excitement builds for the upcoming season, the impact of these players on their teams will be closely watched, adding a layer of anticipation to the unfolding drama of the Women's Premier League 2024.