England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia captain Sophie Molineux have emerged as the only two players to list themselves at the maximum base price of INR 50 lakh for the upcoming Women’s Premier League mini auction. A total of 146 players will go under the hammer on October 28 in Kochi, competing fiercely for just 27 available slots across the participating franchises.
The auction pool comprises 119 Indian players, featuring 22 capped and 97 uncapped talents, alongside an overseas contingent of 27 players that includes 14 capped stars, 13 uncapped cricketers, and six representatives from Associate nations. Franchises will look to strategically fill their remaining gaps, with 20 slots reserved for domestic players and seven spots designated for overseas acquisitions.
Auction Categories and Notable Registrations
Several prominent names have positioned themselves just below the top bracket, with players like G Kamalini, Kiran Navgire, Heather Graham, and Jess Jonassen registering at the second-highest base price of INR 40 lakh. Meanwhile, an additional 30 players have entered the fray at the INR 30 lakh mark, creating a diverse pool of talent for teams to target.
- Only two players, Sophie Molineux and Sophia Dunkley, claimed the highest base price of INR 50 lakh.
- The auction features 146 total contenders vying for 27 open squad spots on October 28.
- Domestic representation includes 119 Indian players, while the overseas list features 27 cricketers.
- Several high-profile overseas stars opted out due to potential international calendar clashes ahead of major tournaments.
Absences and International Scheduling Impact
Notable absentees from the auction list include West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin, Australia leg-spinner Alana King, and Lizelle Lee, who served as Delhi Capitals’ leading run-scorer last season. Industry reports indicate that potential scheduling conflicts with England’s tour of Sri Lanka in early February, coupled with the upcoming Champions Trophy and the lucrative allure of other domestic leagues, influenced several prominent international players to skip the tournament entirely this year.
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