December 15, 2024: In a thrilling WPL 2025 Auction, Mumbai Indians (MI) made a bold move by securing 16-year-old G Kamalini for a hefty Rs 1.6 crore. The bidding war between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals (DC) saw the bid shoot up from the base price to a significant amount, confirming Kamalini’s spot in MI’s squad.
Kamalini, an uncapped talent from Tamil Nadu, has been in sensational form, which has contributed to her soaring price. She played a key role in leading Tamil Nadu to victory in the Under-19 domestic tournament in October, amassing 311 runs in eight matches. Her stellar performance in the Under-19 tri-series final against South Africa A, where she scored 79 runs, further solidified her place in India’s Under-19 Asia Cup squad. This tremendous form made her one of the most sought-after players in the auction, and MI, under Nita Ambani’s paddle, emerged victorious in the bidding battle, securing her services.
Deandra Dottin to Gujarat Giants – The West Indies all-rounder, Deandra Dottin, fetched a massive Rs 1.7 crore. Despite her reserve price being Rs 50 lakh, a fierce bidding war between UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants ensued, with Gujarat ultimately securing her for a whopping amount. Dottin’s experience and firepower will add a lot of strength to the Gujarat Giants squad.
Simran Shaikh’s Big Bid – Simran Shaikh, an uncapped batter, was picked up by Gujarat Giants for Rs 1.9 crore, making her the most expensive buy of the afternoon. Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants were both after the promising young talent, whose base price was just Rs 5 lakh. Shaikh has previous experience in the WPL, having played for Gujarat in the inaugural season, and her performance is expected to further elevate her value in this year’s tournament.
Nandini Kashyap Joins Delhi Capitals – Nandini Kashyap, a Uttarakhand wicketkeeper, was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 10 lakh. Kashyap’s recent call-up to India’s T20I squad for the series against West Indies helped her make a mark in the auction, and she will be looking to impress with both gloves and bat in the WPL.
This year’s auction has been packed with action, with 120 players going under the hammer. Out of these, 91 are Indian players and 29 are overseas stars, including three players from Associate nations. A notable 82 of these players are uncapped Indian cricketers, highlighting the WPL’s focus on discovering and nurturing new talent.
The ongoing auction has seen some big moves, with franchises clearly looking to build well-rounded squads, mixing youth with experience. As the 2025 WPL season approaches, the excitement around these acquisitions and how they perform on the field will certainly add to the anticipation.
Mumbai Indians have strengthened their squad with young talent like Kamalini, alongside experienced players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Natalie Sciver.
Gujarat Giants, who secured Deandra Dottin and Simran Shaikh, have placed a strong emphasis on both international experience and domestic youth, making them a formidable team.
Delhi Capitals are also looking strong with the addition of Nandini Kashyap, alongside their retained core.
The WPL 2025 promises to be another exciting season as these teams look to battle it out for supremacy in the women’s T20 cricket arena.
