The WPL 2025 mini-auction came with a lot of excitement, especially for uncapped talent. Leg-spinner Simran Shaikh was the highest-sold player in the auction as she was picked by the Mumbai Indians for a whopping ₹1.90 crore, and the evening was set for an evening where uncapped players shone brighter than the stars.
Here is a summary of the major headlines from the auction, key team additions, and some surprising twists.
Top Buys: Uncapped Players Steal the Spotlight
Simran Shaikh – ₹1.90 crore (Mumbai Indians): Simran’s meteoric rise in cricket continues as she shattered records, securing the highest bid of the auction. Her ability to turn games with her leg-spin made her the standout player of the day.
G Kamalini – ₹1.60 crore (Mumbai Indians): This 16-year-old Tamil Nadu sensation proved why she’s a budding star. A wicketkeeper and left-handed batter, Kamalini is likely to provide MI with versatility in the playing eleven.
Deandra Dottin – ₹1.70 crore (Gujarat Giants): One of the few capped players still fetching a premium price is a West Indies all-rounder. Gujarat Giants were in no mood to let go of the explosive batting and reliable bowling of this talent.
Prema Rawat – ₹1.20 crore (Royal Challengers Bengaluru): Yet another uncapped gem, Rawat’s strong performances for the domestic side got her an excellent opportunity in RCB’s roster.
Key WPL 2025 Mini-Auction Trends
The most interesting aspects of the auction had to do with uncapped batters, as three of the top four purchases were uncapped, making ₹4.70 crore in total, with Simran Shaikh and G Kamalini alone more expensive than the renowned international star Deandra Dottin.
There was, incidentally, no India cap in the event. Interesting in this context is that perhaps it reflected the teams looking for a balance of budding talents and experience.
Team Breakdown: Who Bought Whom?
Mumbai Indians: Simran Shaikh and G Kamalini were the highest-purchased players from the pack. The team also fetched Nadine de Klerk of South Africa, alongside hopefuls like Akshita Maheshwari and Sanskriti Gupta.
Gujarat Giants: Aside from Dottin, they retained England’s Danielle Gibson, India’s uncapped talent, Prakashika Naik, and Simran Shaikh too. They had most bought in the auctions.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Heavily focused on uncapped players, adding Prema Rawat, Joshitha JV, Raghvi Bist, and Jagravi Pawar to their squad.
Delhi Capitals: Balanced additions for the team through Scotland’s Sarah Bryce, N Charani, Nandini Kashyap, and Niki Prasad.
UP Warriorz: The team picked Australian leg-spinner Alana King, along with local talents Arushi Goel and Kranti Goud.
Surprises and Stats
The auction ended in just over two hours, with 19 players sold for a total of ₹9.05 crore. Gujarat Giants were the busiest team, while Delhi Capitals managed some savvy steals.
The absence of bids for Indian-capped players, including names like Sneh Rana and Poonam Yadav, was a surprise. Teams seemed to prioritize either fresh Indian talent or seasoned overseas players.
The WPL 2025 auction is proof that the league has become a platform for finding and rewarding emerging talent. As it stands with uncapped players leading the charts, franchises are really focusing on the future of women’s cricket and staying competitive.
Also, see: What are RTM cards in IPL 2025 auction? Explained