WPL 2024 Auction: 'Speaks highly of their capabilities', Saba Karim on money spent on Kashvee Gautam and Vrinda Dinesh

Seam bowler Kashvee Gautam (Gujarat Giants, Rs 2 crore), all-rounder Annabel Sutherland (Delhi Capitals, Rs 2 crore) and batter Vrinda Dinesh (UP Warriorz, Rs 1.3 crore) emerged the top picks at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 Auctions in Mumbai on Saturday. JioCinema WPL experts including Saba Karim, Anjum Chopra, Abhinav Mukund and Reema Malhotra spoke on the key players on whom the teams have banked heavily. Anjum was also surprised that Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu went unsold. Excerpts from the JioCinema special show Match Centre Live Tata WPL 2024 Auctions: On Kashvee Gautam going to Gujarat Giants for Rs 2 crore  Saba Karim: India’s uncapped players have done well of late and they are being rewarded for their performances. The talent scouts have noticed that these players can be effective at the top level also. But the amount spent on Kashvee Gautam and Vrinda Dinesh has to be the story of the day. If they go for such amounts of money, it’s monumental. It speaks highly of the capabilities of these youngsters. On Vrinda Dinesh, who went to UP Warriorz, for Rs 1.3 crore  Anjum Chopra: I am wondering where they will slot Vrinda Dinesh in. Yes, it’s nice to get a youngster in but they already have Shweta Sehrawat and Parshavi Chopra. When you get someone like Vrinda Dinesh, you want some freshness in the squad and you can get her to open the innings with Alyssa Healy but that also puts pressure on someone like Kiran Navgire. So, I am concerned about Shweta Sehrawat and Vrinda Dinesh – both U-23 players now. It’s a good buy but Rs 1.3 crore is big money. On Delhi Capitals spending Rs 2 crore on all-rounder Annabel Sutherland  Abhinav Mukund: DC were pretty much done with the auction after spending Rs 2 crore on Sutherland. The plans of both Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals was pretty clear. They were focusing on strengthening their teams. Overall, it’s a great pick for Delhi Capitals. They are trusting their younger Indian spinners because I immediately feel that Jess Jonassen could make way for Annabel Sutherland. On Shabnim Ismail, who went to Mumbai Indians, for Rs 1.2 crore  Saba Karim: I think that Shabnim Ismail is a strong bet for Mumbai Indians and has made their squad even stronger. Speaking about UP Warriorz buying Vrinda Dinesh, it means that they can now play one overseas seamer in the eleven, which they couldn’t do previously. So, I believe this is a brilliant buy for them. On Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu not being picked by any team  Anjum Chopra: It’s unfair because people in that auction room would have watched her performance in the WBBL. They would have seen what happened in England. She wouldn’t have to tell people who she is. She has that influence through her performances with the bat. So, I am really surprised that a player with all-round abilities like hers is going unsold. Here’s a player who can do two jobs for you and is still going unsold. How is it that these teams are not seeing the quality that this player possesses. On Ekta Bisht, who went to Royal Challengers Bangalore, for Rs 60 lakh   Reema Malhotra: I am very happy. She deserved to be picked and I believe at the moment, she is one of the best left-arm spinners that India has. She has top-tier athleticism and has a very good game sense as well. RCB wanted to really improve and strengthen their bowling. From the perspective of a leg spinner they have (Georgia) Wareham, for left-arm they have Ekta Bisht and as a medium pacer you have Kate Cross. So, I believe this team is in a better position now as they have more options and variations.