Women Premier League 2023: Smriti Mandhana bags highest price, goes to Royal Challengers Bangalore

New Delhi : Indian batter Smriti Mandhana has become the most expensive bid sold at the inaugural Women's Premier League auction in Mumbai. She was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for price tag of INR 3.4 crores. She was also the first player to come up for the bidding at the auction on Monday.

Royal Challengers Bangalore spent nearly 50% off their INR 12 crore purse on 3 players in the first marquee set. They also bought Sophie Devine at her base price of INR 50 lakh and Eliza Perry for INR 1.7 crores.

They also added 19 year old wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, who recently featured in the Under 19 World Cup campaign, for INR 1.9 crores.

Mumbai Indians also tried to fetch Smriti Mandhana, but they were knocked out by RCB and Delhi Capitals. However, they went on to buy Harmanpreet Kaur for INR 1.8 crore. Among Mumbai's other big-ticket Indian signings were allrounder Pooja Vastrakar for INR 1.9 crore and Yastika Bhatia for INR 1.5 crore.

All rounder Deepti Sharma was the second most expensive Indian who was sold at the auction for INR 2.6 crore. She was brought by UP Warriorz, who also spent big on Tahlia McGrath and India allrounder Devika Vaidya at INR 1.4 crore each, and Shabnim Ismail at INR 1 crore.

Gardner, Nat Sciver-Brunt most expensive overseas buys

Ashleigh Gardner, the No.1. allrounder in women's T20Is, attracted the joint second-highest bid of INR 3.2 crore (USD 390,000 approx) from Gujarat Giants, alongside England's Nat Sciver-Brunt, who was bought by Mumbai for the same price.