'Ee sala cup namde' – Fans elated as Bangalore Franchise stuffs team with star players in Women's T20 League Auction

Bangalore puts up exceptional line-up in the Women's T20 League Auction (Source: Twitter)

The inaugural edition of the Indian Women's T20 League has its players' auction scheduled for 13 February, Monday. As such, the auction is expected to be a vital step forward in the materialization of franchise cricket in the women's game in India. Moreover, it will also be a monumental step towards developing young Indian women cricketers who lack opportunities to perform at the highest level.

Notably, the very first player of the auction was the face of the women's game in India, Smriti Mandhana. An intense bidding war between the Bangalore and the Mumbai franchise took place to appropriate her services in the upcoming Women's T20 League. In the end, Bangalore's winning bid of 3.40 crore INR made her a part of Bangalore's squad for the tournament's inaugural edition.

Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Renuka Singh and Richa Ghosh are the other names in the star-studded line-up

Bangalore did not stop at their first purchase. They clearly entered the auction with a strategy of targeting big-name players. The next player they robbed in was New Zealand's captain, Sophie Devine, a high-performing all-rounder in the game right now. They looked to restore balance in the squad they're building with another noted allrounder, Australia's Ellyse Perry.

Bangalore fired again with another Indian purchase in the noted explosive batter Richa Ghosh, who has been on fire in the recent warm-up games of the Women's 20-20 World Cup. They also robbed Renuka Singh, India's pace sensation showing clear intent to focus on all departments of the squad. This line-up has undoubtedly been the best one in the auction.

Notably, the players' auction for the Women's T20 League is being conducted by Mallika Sagar, the first women-auctioneer of Indian origin. She is noted for her experience with Art auctions in Mumbai and also has the experience of conducting the players’ auction for the Pro Kabaddi League in 2021.

Here's how the fans reacted to the whopping purchases made by the Bangalore franchise:

All purse over they need 10 more players

— Teja_Virat_TheRiser🔥🔥 (@TejaPandruvada) February 13, 2023

Where are bowlers?

— SaMaR (@SAMAR_45M) February 13, 2023

Women team ku achum ee sala cup namde kedaikumah 🤔🤔

— Dhatchna Arjun (@DhatchnaMaveri2) February 13, 2023

Greatest franchise for a reason and where are fixers

— Kevin (@imkevin149) February 13, 2023

By buying such good players, you will not win the trophy, so every year the men's Rcb team also takes big names, it has not won since 15 years. To win, a captain like Rohit Sharma is needed, not big names.

— STFU (@Rohitdevotee045) February 13, 2023

RCB to other teams. pic.twitter.com/jHHA3qSaUL

— ROHAN🫂 (@rohan10203070) February 13, 2023

Still they go trophyless 🤣

— Mumbai Indians #MI (@Aatmanirbharboi) February 13, 2023

Auctioner :- Delhi Challengers
Rcb :- ROYAL ...
😂

— Nitin (@Nitin_srini56) February 13, 2023