'Smriti Mandhana will be the most expensive buy'- Aakash Chopra gives his prediction for WPL auction
Chopra feels that Smriti Mandhana will be the most coveted player at the auction, with several teams willing to go big for securing the Indian opener's services.
The inaugural player auction for the Women’s Premier League is just a few hours away, and former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has given his pick for the most expensive player in the auction taking place in Mumbai. The ex-Indian cricketer reckoned India's swashbuckling opener Smriti Mandhana will attract big bids from the participating five franchises.
With the landmark event in women's cricket scheduled to take place on Monday, February 13, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has put forward his prediction for the auction. He feels that Smriti Mandhana will be the most coveted player at the auction, with several teams willing to go big for securing her services.
Chopra also feels that it will be tough for the franchises to find five captains with a purse of ₹12 crore sanctioned to each team. The cricketer-turned-expert put forward the name of Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, and all-rounder Deepti Sharma as two viable options for the leadership role.
"It is going to be an interesting auction because it is happening for the first time. They have to find five captains as well. So when you go to buy a captain, you will spend a lot of money and that much money is not there. There is no doubt that Indian players will be the most expensive.
"In my opinion, Smriti Mandhana will be the most expensive, Harmanpreet Kaur at No. 2 and Deepti Sharma at No. 3. I am seeing Ellyse Perry becoming a captain for one of the sides. The fifth could be Ashleigh Gardner, Meg Lanning, Nat Sciver, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews or Marizanne Kapp - there is just too much quality," Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
All Australian players who are registered here will get good money: Chopra
Talking about the foreign players, Chopra is of the view that the Australians will be the big gainers in the auction, given the wealth of world-class players from down under participating in the WPL.
"After the Indian players, the most money will go in Australian dollars. All Australian players who are registered here will get good money, whether it is Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner or Tahlia McGrath - they are all absolutely outstanding," he added.
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