Top five most overpriced players in Women's T20 League 2023

The first player auction for the much-anticipated Women’s T20 League was a landmark moment in the history of women’s cricket. The 2023 auction was a massive event, with star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana earning a Rs. 3.4 crore bid from the Bangalore-based franchise.

Other players, including India women’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma, also received a mammoth sum for their services. Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma were bought by Mumbai and UP-based franchises for Rs 1.8 crore and Rs 2.6 crore, respectively.

Nonetheless, the auction has provided a platform for many bright young players, particularly those from the U-19 World Cup team, to establish a name for themselves. However, considering recent performances some players have been overpriced by franchises and could become trouble for their teams.

Here is the list of the top five overpriced players in the inaugural season of the Women’s T20 League.

5. Sushma Verma (INR 60 Lakhs)

Sushma Verma (Source: Twitter)

Wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma was bought by a Gujarat-based franchise during the player auction of the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 League. She has been roped in for INR 60 lakhs as a backup wicketkeeper by Gujarat.

The 30-year-old batter made her debut for India in April 2013 against Bangladesh in Vadodara. In her brief international career, the batter has failed to replicate her potential. She has just scored 31 runs in six innings at an average of 10 in T20Is.

Her recent performance also doesn’t justify the amount she received in the auction. In her last eight innings, she has scored just 76 runs at an average of 10 including two ducks. Her inclusion as a backup wicketkeeper batter could trouble Gujarat’s team balance.

4. Devika Vaidya (INR 140 Lakhs)

Devika Vaidya (Source: Twitter)

The 29-year-old allrounder Devika Vaidya attracted a bidding war during the Women’s T20 League player auction. However, she was eventually roped in by the UP-based franchise for a whooping sum of INR 1.4 crore. Vaidya, who is currently a part of India’s World Cup squad, has not been in great form.

Since her debut for India in November 2014 against South Africa, Vaidya has been very inconsistent. She has represented India in just 11 T20I matches, in which she has scored 89 runs and took 6 wickets. Her performance in the inaugural season will be under the scrutiny of fans.

3. Marizanne Kapp (INR 150 Lakhs)

Marizanne Kapp (Source: twitter)

Star South Africa all-rounder has been bought by a Delhi-based franchise for INR 1.5 crore at the player's auction of the Women’s T20 League. Since her debut for South Africa against Australia in 2009, the 33-year-old all-rounder has come a long way to establish herself in African cricket circles.

In Women’s T20 internationals, she has represented South Africa in 90 matches. She has scored 1140 runs and took 70 wickets in between. However, her recent performances don’t justify the amount she received. In her last ten matches, she has scored 139 runs at an average of 23 while taking seven wickets at a bowling average of more than 25. Although her bowling has been excellent in Asian conditions and Delhi hope to continue that legacy.

2. Yastika Bhatia (INR 150 Lakhs)

Yastika Bhatia (Source: Twitter)

The young Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been bought by Mumbai for INR 1.5 crore at the auction of the Women’s T20 League. The left-hand batter has been very inconsistent throughout her career. Since her debut against Australia in 2021, she has represented India in 14 T20I matches.

In these matches, she has scored only 142 runs at an average of 15. Although, she has been brilliant behind the wickets. Yastika, who is part of India’s squad for the Women’s 20-20 World Cup, failed to score runs against Pakistan in the last game. She could be one of the biggest flops of the season given her current form.

1. Smriti Mandhana (INR 340 Lakhs)

Smriti Mandhana (Source: Twitter)

Star India batter, Smriti Mandhana emerged as the most expensive player at the auction of the Women’s T20 League. The India vice-captain attracted a bidding war between Mumbai and Bangalore franchises and was eventually roped in by Bangalore for the whooping sum of INR 3.4 crore.

However, it will be interesting to watch her performance in the tournament. Given her current form, she could become the worst buy for Bangalore. In her last ten outings, Mandhana has scored 107 runs at an average of 15. It also includes three ducks and one unbeaten 74 against West Indies last month.