Women's T20 League Auction coinciding with Women's 20-20 World Cup will be awkward: Sophie Devine

The elite women cricketers of the world will have to control their emotions on February 13, as the women's game takes the next big step. The Women's T20 League Auction will collide with the Women's 20-20 World Cup that starts this Friday. 45 players, including the entire Indian squad, could be picked in the auction. Franchises can pick up to seven overseas players, which must include one from an associate nation. As such, some distraction is expected as the picked players might enjoy the biggest payday of their careers.

Talking about the auction, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said, "It's the elephant in the room; it's a really unique experience. It's enormous. You talk about glass ceilings, and I think the Women's T20 League is going to be the next stage. I am really excited about it. As female cricketers, this is something we have never been through before. On every scale, it's going to be awkward. That's the word we have spoken about."

Women's T20 League promises the most monetary benefits in Women's Cricket history

The expected distractions are primarily due to the amount of money on offer. The franchises will have a purse of INR 12 crore (US $1.46 million approx.) - which is around eight times smaller than the last purse of the men's league of INR 95 crore (US $11.5 million approx.) But it's still the highest the women's game had ever seen.

All eyes will be on the Indian players; India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur said that the 20-20 World Cup will be their top priority despite the distractions. "Before that , we have a very important game, and we are just going to focus on that," she said.

Kaur, who has played in leagues like the Women's Big Bash League, the hundreds and the Kia Super League, understands the magnitude of the upcoming auction. "It's a really big day for all of us because we have been waiting for years and years now," said the Indian allrounder.

She also said how important it would be for the youngsters to share the dressing room with overseas stars and experienced campaigners. "That is something which has a very different feeling. When I got that opportunity, it was the biggest life-changing moment. Other girls will also experience this. It will be a great opportunity to improve cricket and grow the game," she remarked.