Smriti Mandhana, India's vice-captain, signed a deal worth INR 3.4 crore with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first round of the Women's Premier League (WPL) Player Auction on Monday.
RCB and Mumbai Indians (MI) were locked in an intense battle for Smriti's services, starting with a base price of INR 50 lakh, before the former was able to acquire her services, offering an opening as well as a captaincy option. Interestingly, she wears the number 18 jersey, which Virat Kohli wears for RCB in the men's Indian Premier League (IPL).
Mumbai were then in a bidding war with RCB, Delhi Capitals (DC), and UP Warriorz for the services of captain Harmanpreet Kaur, which they won for INR 1.8 crore. Sophie Devine, the New Zealand captain, was sold to RCB for INR 50 lakh.
MI and Warriorz were interested in Australia's off-spin all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, but Gujarat Giants got her for INR 3.2 crore. RCB and DC were both interested in premier Australia pace all-rounder Ellyse Perry, with the former paying INR 1.7 crore.
Both Gujarat and Delhi were interested in England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, but Warriorz snatched her up for INR 1.8 crore. Only West Indies captain Hayley Matthews remained unsold from the first set.
"Everyone knows Mandhana and Perry, and we were pretty set on getting the couple we wanted. We are overjoyed to have such high-caliber players join us. Getting Mandhana, Perry, and Devine is a dream come true for us. Smriti has a lot of captaincy experience and is familiar with Indian conditions, so (she'll be captain), "RCB Director of Cricket Mike Hesson said at a press conference.