WPL Auction 2023 Live Updates: 2nd Accelerated Round Underway, Smriti Mandhana Costliest At 3.4 Crore

13.02.2023 - 18:40 sports.ndtv.com

Women's Premier League Auction 2023 Live Updates: The auction for the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) is underway at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

The second accelerated round of auction is underway. India opener Smriti Mandhana has been the top buy so far in the auction with RCB splurging Rs 3.4 crore for her.

Meanwhille, Ashleigh Gardner and Nat Sciver fetched a sum of Rs 3.2 crore each after being roped in by Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians, respectively.

Deepti Sharma fetched a sum of 2.60 crore from UP Warriorz while Jemimah Rodrigues got 2.2 crore from Delhi Capitals. (LIVE AUCTION-CENTER) Final stage of the auction coming up.

cricket Live Blogs Nat Sciver Tahlia Macgrath Ellyse Perry Ashleigh Gardner Harmanpreet Kaur Smriti Mandhana India county Centre Delhi

Former India captain Anjum Chopra is a bit disappointed that most franchises have opted for foreign players in leadership roles in the inaugural WPL, saying capable Indian players should have been handed the responsibility. The Women's Premier League begins on Saturday with a clash between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians in the opening match at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. "I didn't like that most of the teams have opted for foreign players as captains because it's an Indian league and will be played in Indian conditions, so Indian players should have been captains if they have capabilities," she said.

"One Of The Toughest Innings...": Smriti Mandhana After Guiding India To Women's T20 World Cup Semi-finals

Star opener Smriti Mandhana on Monday described the match-winning 87-run knock against Ireland as one of her toughest innings due to the difficult conditions at St George's Park. Thanks to Mandhana's career-best knock, India posted 155 for six after opting to bat first in their last group match of the Women's T20 World Cup. In their run chase, Ireland were 54 for two in 8.2 overs, when heavy rains stopped play. The DLS par score after 8.2 overs was 59, and Ireland were five runs short of that total.

One of the toughest innings I have played: Smriti Mandhana

Thanks to Mandhana's career-best knock, India posted 155 for six after opting to bat first in their last group match of the Women's T20 World Cup. In their run chase, Ireland were 54 for two in 8.2 overs, when heavy rains stopped play. The DLS par score after 8.2 overs was 59, and Ireland were five runs short of that total.As the match could not be restarted, India won the match under the D/L method."The finger is fine. One of the most toughest innings I would have played. Not the wicket but the pace they were bowling and with the wind, it got worse," Mandhana said after the match.

Watch: Virat Kohli Reveals Royal Challengers Bangalore Skipper For WPL 2023 With Special Message

Smriti Mandhana will be leading Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural season of the Women's Premier League, former India skipper Virat Kohli confirmed on Saturday. A video message was posted on the social media by RCB with a special message from Kohli. "From one No. 18 to another, from one skipper to another, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis announce RCB's captain for the Women's Premier League - Smriti Mandhana," the franchise wrote on Twitter. Mandhana created history in the WPL auction by becoming the costliest player after commanding a price of Rs 3.4 crore after a bidding war.

Women's T20 World Cup: Will Smriti Mandhana Return Against West Indies? Indian Bowling Coach Provides Update

India bowling coach Troy Cooley is optimistic about star opener Smriti Mandhana returning to action during her side's ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash against West Indies on Wednesday. India and West Indies will be locking horns in their Group 2 clash of the tournament in Cape Town on Wednesday. India is in second place in the points tally with one win in one match and two points, below England, which has two wins in two and a total of four points. The 26-year-old sat out India's opening group match, a seven-wicket win over Pakistan, due to a finger injury. But India's star opener appears set to return for the clash at Newlands having come through a pre-match training session unscathed.

India's Predicted XI vs West Indies, Women's T20 World Cup 2023: Will Smriti Mandhana Return To The Squad?

After registering a thrilling victory in their tournament opener against Pakistan, Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India faces West Indies in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa on Wednesday. India will eye a top berth in Group B with the match against the Caribbean side, who are at the bottom of the table after losing their opening game to England by 7 wickets. India are at the second spot in the table with two points. Their net run rate is +0.497. England top the table with four points and a net run rate of +2.497.