New Delhi: In a surprising turn of events at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction, uncapped Indian talent Vrinda Dinesh emerged as a major highlight. The 22-year-old sparked a fierce bidding war, ultimately being acquired by UP Warriorz for a staggering Rs 1.30 crore. Vrinda, who had a base price of Rs 10 lakh, saw the bidding battle involve three teams and resulted in her being sold for 13 times her initial valuation.
The WPL 2024 auction brought about some unexpected outcomes in the first round, with notable players like West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin and Sri Lankan legend Chamari Athapaththu surprisingly going unsold. The opening round's top pick was Australia’s Anabel Sutherland, who secured a significant contract with Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore.
Despite the initial focus on international players, Indian youngsters continued to attract attention in the auction. Vrinda, yet to make her debut in the national team, commanded a significant payout, reflecting her recent standout performances in domestic cricket. She is set to make her debut in the WPL for the Warriorz in the upcoming season.
Getting to Know Vrinda Dinesh: 22-year-old Vrinda represents Karnataka in the domestic circuit and has established herself as one of the most prolific batters for her state team in recent seasons. Operating at the top order, she is known for her aggressive style of play and consistent performances. With idol Meg Lanning from Australia, Vrinda has been a key contributor to Karnataka’s success.
In the Senior Women’s One-Day competition, Vrinda stood out as the third-highest run-scorer, amassing 477 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 47.70. Notable among her innings was a stellar knock of 81 against Rajasthan in the semi-final. She has also represented India A in three home matches against England and was part of India’s U-23 squad that triumphed in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup in Hong Kong earlier this year. Along with her batting prowess, Vrinda also offers a valuable bowling option with her leg-spin.
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