WPL 2023: What is EMP in WPL player auction list?

The wait is finally over as BCCI has released the list of players to feature at the WPL 2023 auction. A total of 409 players will go under the hammer on February 13 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, of which 163 are overseas (eight from associate nations). However, with the squad limit of 18, only a maximum of 90 players (30 overseas) will be able to fetch IPL contracts.

In the player auction list, there is a designated category for youngsters who featured in the recently concluded Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 held in South Africa. The category has been officially named EMP, which stands for Emerging Marquee Players. Only 18 cricketers have made it to the list, which mainly comprises players who led the India Under-19 side to the title triumph.

Among the players featuring in the EMP category, two are overseas. England Under 19-team’s skipper Grace Scrivens who set the Women’s Under-19 World Cup 2023 ablaze with her all-round performances and was the Player of the Tournament, has made the cut. Also, Bangladesh colts’ Shorna Akter, who dismantled bowling attacks with her flamboyant stroke play in the tournament, will take part in the forthcoming auction.

The players featuring in the Emerging Marquee Players category might create a lot of buzz at the auction table. They have caught a lot of eyeballs with their exploits at the multi-nation tournament and many franchises might be interested in adding them to their arsenal. Also, these cricketers will be present at an affordable price, and thus, teams could ponder over investing in them for the coming season.

The much-awaited Women’s Premier League 2023 is set to kickstart on March 4 and the finals of the T20 extravaganza will take place on March 26. The marquee tournament will have a total of 22 matches, which will be played at the Brabourne Stadium and the D.Y. Patil Stadium.

Here are the players in the EMP category: