Gujarat, Bangalore set for bidding battle as WPL spreads its wings

Only nine overseas slots are vacant and three of the five franchises have only one such slot to fill

- Rasesh Mandani

Last winter, at a luxurious convention hall in suburban Bandra, the economics of women's cricket changed forever. Nearly 260 crore was splashed in an auction room to secure contracts of 87 players for the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL).

Playing the World Cup in South Africa, Indian cricket's leading ladies were in raptures, cheering each other's lifechanging moment. Pacing around in her room, England's Sophie Ecclestone felt it was 'mad money' when she went for ₹1.8 crore.

Before the year closes, another auction is upon us. In another luxurious setting in Mumbai on Saturday, more women cricketers will experience a change in fortune. Only this time, the bidding won't be as mad.

Less than one-third of the collective salary cap from last time (17.65 crore) is available to spend for the five teams.

Less anxiety

There will be less anxiety in the Indian camp as they play the second T20I against England in another part of town. Among the Indian squad members, only young left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap, fresh from her impressive displays for India A as well as the U-19 World Cup, is waiting for her first WPL contract.