WPL 2024 Auction: UP Warriorz Rope in Uncapped Vrinda Dinesh for Massive 1.3 Crore Rupees

Vrinda Dinesh was roped in by WPL side UP Warriorz as the Karnataka batter was sold for a whopping 1.3 Crore Rupees at the WPL 2024 Auction on Saturday.

The 22-year-old batter, who scored 36 off 29 balls in the final of the ACC Emerging Teams Cup, was an important cog in Karnataka’s charge to the final of the Senior Women’s ODI trophy as she scored 477 runs in 11 innings. She made a brilliant 81 against the likes of Rajasthan at the tournament and was touted for a big money sale at the auction, which eventually came to pass.

Another uncapped Indian youngster, Kashvee Gautam, became the most expensive uncapped player at the auction as Gujarat Giants paid a record 2 Crore Rupees for the 20-year-old.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s purchase of star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana at an eye-watering 3.4 Crore Indian Rupees remains the most expensive signing in the history of the WPL, followed by Gujarat Giants’ signing of Australian Ashleigh Gardner and Mumbai Indians’ signing of Englishwoman Natalie Sciver at 3.2 Crore Rupees each.

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who was also roped in by UP Warriroz last time around for 2.6 Crore Rupees comes in third on the list, ahead of Delhi Capitals’ star batter Jemimah Rodrigues, who was brought in by the capital city club for 2.2 Crores.

Australian Beth Mooney and Indian batting sensation Shefali Verma were picked up by Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals respectively for 2 Crores each, making them the fifth costliest players in the event, and they were joined by Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who was picked up by DC on Saturday for 2 Crore INR as well.

Veteran South African bowler Shabnim Ismail was also sold for 1.2 Crore Rupees as champions Mumbai Indians roped in the 35-year-old on Saturday, while  20-year-old Australian Phoebe Litchfield was picked up by Gujarat Giants for 1 Crore Rupees.

UP Warriorz also signed English batter Dani Wyatt for INR 30 Lakhs, while 24-year-old Australian Georgia Wareham went to RCB for INR 40 Lakhs.

Multiple familiar names such as Veda Krishnamurthy, Poonam Raut, Devika Vaidya, Deandra Dottin, and Chamari Athapaththu went unsold in the first round of auctions on Saturday.