/sky247-english/media/agency_attachments/u8Dd4hyaH0mQGXmyg0Eo.png)
/sky247-english/media/media_files/oXHoxgPA7CrylmMTcwp1.jpg)
Follow Us/sky247-english/media/media_files/iA8y5YHdcKLsXz3uxUaK.png)
Chamari Athapaththu (Source: Twitter)
The player auction for the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) is currently (Saturday, December 9) underway in Mumbai. The first round of auction turned out to be quite disappointing as some big names went unsold. One of the shocking omissions was the Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), Chamari Athapaththu.
/sky247-english/media/media_files/L36rCpmHRJkAgRgNCcLd.jpg)
This is a big moment in this auction as all five franchises have shown no interest in the Sri Lankan captain for the second edition of the WPL. Playing for Sydney Thunder, Athapaththu finished as the second highest run scorer with 552 runs at an average of 42.46 and a strike-rate of 127.19. She also grabbed nine wickets at an economy of 6.79.
Athapaththu was a key factor in Thunder reaching the final sttages of the tournament. The Heather Knight-led side lost to Brisbane Heat in the Eliminator by 44 runs.The veteran all-rounder was expected to fetch a good sum in the event but surprised everyone by going unsold. She had opted for a base price of Rs 30 lakh.
West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin was another big name who went unsold. The Caribbean all-rounder was among the top picks at this year's auction but failed to find a buyer. Dottin is one of the two players who have opted for the highest base price of Rs 50 lakh. It remains to be seen whether any franchise will pick him in the end.
Apart from them, Punam Raut, Veda Krishnamurthy, Kim Garth, Sarah Bryce and Alana King also failed to find any buyers. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals (DC) made the biggest signing of the day as they bagged the services of the Australian all-rounder for Rs 2 crore. Another Australian cricketer Phoebe Litchfield is the second higest earner as Gujarat Giants grabbed her for Rs 1 crore.
Here's how fans reacted to Chamari Athapaththu going unsold in 2024 WPL auction:
Oh i was considered her one of the most expensive player
— cricketbuzz⁴⁵ (@Mohdyasir6911) December 9, 2023
This was the most shocking...!!!
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) December 9, 2023
Any reason? 🤔
Oh Big Upset
— VIKRANT KAUSHIK (@7VIKRANTKAUSHIK) December 9, 2023
Best All Rounder Unsold 🙄
— Sachin Kumar Vishwakarma (@apnasachinkumar) December 9, 2023
Cheating.. She deserved 100 time...
— Vipin Bishnoi। (@VipinBishnoi13) December 9, 2023
Natural player💥💥
The star in BBL 😢
— Rajesh Kumar A (@a_rajesh_kumar) December 9, 2023
She'll be picked in the second round. Teams might be waiting for other player before deciding on her
— Vignesh (@visumurugan) December 9, 2023
Tough luck chamari 😢
— Third Man (@CricPollsdaily) December 9, 2023
What a Bad Moment.
— Talk Before Wicket (@TalkB4Wicket) December 9, 2023
She's the Strongest Player in WPL