WPL auction: Smriti Mandhana sold for Rs 3.4 crore; Harmanpreet for Rs 1.8 crore

New Delhi: At the inaugural players auction for Women’s Premier League on Monday in Mumbai, star cricketer Smriti Mandhana was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 3.4 crore.

Mandhana is likely to be named captain of RCB.

"Everyone knows Mandhana and Perry, we were pretty committed to the couple of people we wanted to get. We're very happy to get such quality players. It's a dream result for us to get Mandhana, Perry and Devine," RCB Director of Cricket Mike Hesson said during a media interaction. "Smriti has got plenty of captaincy experience and is familiar with the Indian conditions, so highly likely (she'll be the captain)."

“We have been watching auction of men's. It is such a big moment for women to have an auction of this sort. The whole thing is exacting. RCB's legacy is big, they have built a big fan-base. Hope we both can together build a big team. Namaskara Bengaluru, excited to wear the red and gold and aim for the cup,” Mandhana said.

One of the prominent picks during the first round was Australia's off-spin all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who was bought by Gautam Adani-owned Gujarat Giants for Rs 3.20 crore (USD 386,000).

English cricketer Nat Sciver-Brunt attracted the second highest value from Mumbai Indians. She was sold for Rs 3.2 crore.

The second costliest Indian player so far is all-rounder Deepti Sharma who was bought by UP Warriorz for Rs 2.6 crore.

Jemimah Rodrigues, who shined in Sunday's World Cup T20 match against Pakistan, will head to Delhi Capitals for Rs 2.2 crore.

Shafali Verma will head to Delhi Capitals as the franchise bought her for Rs 2 crore.

Australian cricket player and run-machine Beth Mooney will play for Gujarat Giants. She was sold for Rs 2 crore.

India allrounder Pooja Vastrakar will play for Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.9 crore.

Explosive wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh will join Mandhana at RCB. She was sold at 1.9 crore.

Mumbai Indians bought Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur for Rs 1.8 crore in the WPL auction.

"I have always seen Mumbai Indians doing well in the IPL. I have the opportunity to be a part of MI and hope we will make a good time. It is a game changer for all of us. This will entirely change women's cricket not just in India. We all are looking forward to that. MI fans have always been great and hoping to emulate the men's team," Kaur said.

Star Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry received a cool Rs 1.70 crore (USD 205,000) winning bid from RCB who also got New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine dirt cheap at base price of Rs 50 lakh.

Mumbai Indians bought Yastika Bhatia for Rs 1.5 crore.

Renuka Singh, with a base price of Rs 50, was sold to RCB at Rs 1.5 crore.

Among foreign players, Sophie Ecclestone, England allrounder, was sold to UP Warriorz for Rs 1.2 crore.

Australia captain Meg Lanning went to Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.1 crore.

New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr goes to Mumbai Indians for Rs 1 crore.

Shabnim Ismail, South Africa speedster, will play for UP Warriorz against the bid amount of Rs 1 crore.

Australia allrounder Tahlia McGrath to play for UP Warriorz for Rs 1.4 crore.

English cricketer Sophia Dunkley will don the Gujarat Giants jersey. She was sold for Rs 60 lakh.

Overall, 449 players will go under the hammer, out of which 270 are Indian players while the 179 are overseas. Teams can have upto 18 players in the squad, with a minimum of 15. There are six slots for overseas players, including the Associates.

The break-up for overseas players is - 29 are from Australia, 31 from England, 23 from the West Indies, 19 from New Zealand, 17 from South Africa, 15 from Sri Lanka, 11 from Zimbabwe, nine each from Bangladesh and Thailand, six from Ireland, four from the UAE, two each from the Netherlands and Scotland, and one each from USA and Hong Kong.

The teams have an auction purse of Rs 12 crore each. International players had the option of choosing their base prices at Rs 30 lakh or Rs 40 lakh or Rs 50 lakh, while uncapped players had their base prices at Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh.