Big payday for uncapped duo

Kashvee Gautam goes to Gujarat Giants for 2 crore and Vrinda Dinesh for 1.3 crore to UP Warriorz; no takers for Chamari 

- Rasesh Mandani

The inaugural edition of Women's Premier League had set the ball rolling with bumper contracts for the cream of Indian women's cricket. Saturday's mini auction brought cheer for uncapped Indian players, in particular all-rounders Kashvee Gautam and Vrinda Dinesh who attracted bids of ₹2 crore (Gujarat Giants) and 1.3 crore (UP Warriorz) respectively.

The other top buy was Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland who became the joint-most expensive player with Kashvee, bagging a 2 crore Delhi Capitals contract. Scotland pace-bowling all-rounder Kathryn Bryce was the only Associate nation player to be picked up, by GG at her base price of 10 lakh. A total of 12.75 crore was spent on 30 players at the auction room in Mumbai.

Except for GG and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the other three teams approached this auction only to further strengthen their squads. Last year's winners Mumbai Indians and runners-up DC had come to the auction with a limited purse.

"We had a balanced squad anyway. So, if we wanted to pay big we wanted someone who is start of playing eleven," said DC head coach Jonathan Batty on going big after Sutherland. "Annabel is also a multi-skilled player. We know she can bat anywhere from 3-7. She bowls in all phases. We rate her as one of the most improved cricketers in the last 24 months."