Smriti Mandhana to steer RCB in Women’s Premier League? Mike Hesson says it’s ‘extremely probably’

Smriti Mandhana turned the costliest participant on the inaugural WPL public sale after the Royal Challengers Bangalore snapped her for INR 3.4 crore.

New Delhi ,UPDATED: Feb 14, 2023 08:23 IST

Smriti Mandhana acquired the largest bid within the WPL public sale. (PTI Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: India opener Smriti Mandhana turned the costliest participant on the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) public sale after the Royal Challengers Bangalore snapped her for INR 3.4 crore.

Mandhana was the primary participant to be auctioned on the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on February 13. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore acquired right into a bidding conflict for Mandhana, whose base value was INR 50 lakhs. RCB ultimately acquired her from the marquee set.

RCB’s director of cricket operations, Mike Hesson, hinted that Mandhana, who has led India in a number of matches, might doubtlessly captain the group within the WPL.

“Smriti has got plenty of captaincy experience. She is an Indian player and knows the conditions well,” mentioned Hesson in a press convention. “So, I think it is highly likely but I guess in a leadership group you need senior players around you to contribute. We have got three highly experienced international players.”

Mandhana expressed her pleasure on becoming a member of RCB, saying “‘Namaskara Bengaluru’, I think that’s how they say and also excited about wearing the red colour and going out there and trying to get the cup. All the fans keep supporting us and we will try and have a great tournament.”

“I think it’s been over last ten years we’ve been watching auctions for men and it was just amazing because I’m always glued to auctions of men whenever they used to happen. It’s such a big movement for women’s cricket too for us to have an auction of this sort. I think this is history, firstly the announcement of WPL and then this auction,” Mandhana instructed Sports 18.

“I think the whole thing is exciting and I’m saying it’s an exciting time ahead. I think the legacy of RCB is way high because this franchise is existing from past 10 years for men’s IPL and they have built a huge fan base.

“So, yeah, actually excited to be a part of such an enormous franchise and I hope that we each can collectively construct an awesome group. I feel I’m actually excited to be the a part of RCB.”

Published On:

Feb 14, 2023