Richa Ghosh, a young woman from India, felt pleased and proud as the auction concluded in Mumbai on Monday. By this point, Royal Challengers Bengaluru had paid a hefty INR 1.9 Cr to get this 19-year-old. She said that she had only one dream: to visit Kolkata and get a flask for her parents when questioned about his opinion of the whole situation.
Earlier on Monday at the WPL auction, she started a bidding war. Royal Challengers Bangalore paid Rs 1.90 crore to acquire Richa. Richa actually received more money than India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who was acquired by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.8 crore, making her one of the most expensive Indian players at the first WPL auction.
Due to her recent match-winning 30 not out against Pakistan in India's T20 World Cup 2023 opener, she also benefited from the recency bias. She was also a member of the U19 India World Cup winning squad that beat England in the championship game on January 29.
“Playing for India was the only goal my parents had for me. I want to lead my squad to a significant prize for India. In Kolkata, I wish to purchase a condo. My parents should make their home there, please. I want them to have pleasure in the now. They have experienced a lot of hardship and have put forth a lot of effort for me. My father still serves as an umpire. I hope he won't have to work as hard after the sale, said Richa Ghosh, a Siliguri native.
Smriti Mandhana stole the show in the first Women's Premier League (WPL) auctions, as Royal Challengers Bangalore outbid Mumbai Indians for the India vice-captain on Monday for a price of Rs 3.40 crore (USD 410,000).
On a day when ten Indian players signed contracts for one crore or more, Harmanpreet Kaur, the team's captain, cost the Mumbai Indians almost half as much as Mandhana, at Rs 1.80 crore. Harmanpreet's salary is also not the highest in her squad; Nat Sciver-Brunt of England received Rs 3.20 crore, which is a far higher sum.
In fact, Harmanpreet was not even among the top six Indian purchases, as all-arounder Deepti Sharma, who was acquired by UP Warriorz for Rs 2.6 lakh, was the second-most expensive player from the nation.
The Delhi Capitals selected the powerful Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues for Rs 2 crore and Rs 2.20 crore, respectively. They were the stars of the T20 World Cup victory over Pakistan on Sunday. Pooja Vastrakar and Richa Ghosh, two all-arounders, laughed all the way to the bank thanks to agreements for Rs 1.90 crore each from MI and RCB, respectively.
