WPL 2023: 5 lesser-known players who can earn big in auction

The eagerly-waited inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will kickstart on March 6. Ahead of the T20 extravaganza, the five franchises will assemble for the WPL 2023 auction on February 13 in Mumbai. A total of 409 players will go under the hammer but with a squad limit of 18, only 90 players (30 overseas) will get IPL gigs. Many top-drawer cricketers who have made world cricket their happy hunting ground are set to feature at the marquee event and they are likely to attract a lot of bids at the auction table. Amid the renowned names, there are certain players who might not be prominent faces in the cricket fraternity but can add a lot of value to any side. Thus, the franchises might break their bank to sign them. Here are five lesser-known players who can earn big at auction 5. Parshavi Chopra Parshavi Chopra set the Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023 ablaze with her spectacular performances. She spun the web around the opposition and wreaked havoc with the ball. The 16-year-old featured in six matches and bagged 11 wickets at a stellar economy of 3.66. In a must-win against the Sri Lankan Under-19 team at the Super Six stage, Parshavi bamboozled batters with his variations and picked up a four-wicket haul while giving away just five runs. She weaved magic with the ball in the semi-final clash against the White Ferns, bagging three wickets to dent the opposition’s progress. Prashavi has emerged as a genuine wicket-taker and thus, is a valuable addition to any side. Therefore many franchises could look at the Bulandshahar-born as a long-term prospect and therefore, raise their paddles to sign her at the WPL 2023 auction. 4. Kiran Navgire Kiran Navgire is a ferocious striker of the cricket ball and has dismantled bowling attacks with her power-hitting might in the Indian domestic circuit. In the 2021–22 Women's Senior T20 Trophy, she hammered 525 runs in seven games for Nagaland at a strike rate of 131.25. Navgire took the 2022 season of the Women’s T20 challenge by storm with her stunning showing. In the game against the Trailblazers, she took the opposition’s bowlers to the cleaners and smashed the fastest half-century in the tournament, in mere 25 deliveries. The right-hand batter ended up scoring 69 runs off 34 balls. Navgire plays an aggressive brand of cricket and takes the attack to the opposition from ball one. Her addition will provide firepower to the batting line-up and therefore, many franchises could raise their paddles to sign her at the forthcoming player auction. 3. Laura Harris Laura Harris has been a bankable name in the Women’s Big Bash League. Harris has been entrusted to finish the games for the side and has played the role to perfection. She has featured in 107 WBBL matches and hammered 1061 runs at a dazzling strike rate of 155.80. Harris displayed her batting might in the last edition as well. The 32-year-old knocked the wind of bowling attacks that came her way and smashed 270 runs in 16 matches for Brisbane Heat at a stunning strike rate of 204.54, including a half-century. Harris has been a game-changer with the bat and has proven her mettle in the T20 circuit time and time again. The inclusion of the right-handed batter will provide firepower to the batting line-up and therefore, many WPL franchises could go all guns blazing to sign her at the upcoming player auction. 2. Gaby Lewis Gaby Lewis has been a consistent performer for Ireland across formats. She has taken the opposition’s bowlers to the cleaners with her flamboyant stroke play and provided her side with brisk starts. Also, she has steadied the ship when the team has been in choppy waters and shepherded the innings beautifully. Lewis has featured in 64 T20Is and notched up 1441 runs at a strike rate of 114.36. Talking about the 50-over format, she has donned the national colours on 31 occasions and amassed 754 runs at an average of 26.92. Lewis was magnificent in the T20I series against Pakistan and aggregated 144 runs in three games at a strike rate of 130.90. Her batting exploits were instrumental in Ireland whitewashing the Women in Green on the latter’s turf. Lewis has been in a rich vein of form and has the potential to make the Women’s Premier League her own. Therefore, many franchises could be inclined towards adding the Irish batter to their arsenal. 1. Bryony Smith Bryony Smith took the 2022 season of The Hundred Women’s Competition by storm with her spectacular performances. She was the wrecker-in-chief for Trent Rockets and bagged nine wickets in seven matches at an economy of 6.81. Also, she smashed 118 runs at a strike rate of 110.28. Smith, who opened the innings for the Rockets, has shown her ability to bat in the middle order in the international arena, thereby providing versatility to any batting lineup. Also, she is a smart customer with the ball and unlike many spinners, has the might to bowl at the powerplay as well. Smith offers a complete package to any side. Therefore, many WPL franchises could ponder over signing her at the action to add depth to the side. One might even witness a bidding war to sign the England all-rounder at the forthcoming marquee event.

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WPL 2023: 5 lesser-known players who can earn big in auction

A total of 409 players will go under the hammer at the WPL 2023 auction.

1. Bryony Smith

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