Kashvee Gautam Emerges as the Most Expensive Uncapped Player in Women’s Premier League History

December 09, 2023: In a thrilling bidding war, Indian uncapped player Kashvee Gautam made history in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, becoming the most expensive uncapped player with a staggering bid of INR 2 crore from Gujarat Giants. The intense auction surpassed expectations, showcasing the growing prominence and value of emerging talents in women’s cricket.

Gautam’s remarkable feat unfolded as she broke the previous record held by Vrinda Dinesh, who had fetched INR 1.3 crore only moments before in the auction, securing a place with UP Warriorz. The bidding frenzy unfolded for the Chandigarh-based Gautam, who had set her base price at INR 10 lakh.

The auction drama kicked off with Gujarat Giants initiating the bidding, quickly met with a spirited response from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), elevating the stakes to INR 15 lakh. What ensued was a strategic exchange of bids between Giants and RCB, propelling the bid beyond the INR 50 lakh mark, underscoring the fierce competition between the franchises.

The intensity reached new heights when UP Warriorz entered the scene with a bid of INR 75 lakh, injecting a fresh dynamic into the proceedings. Undeterred, Giants persisted, pushing the bid well past the INR 1 crore threshold. In response, Warriorz raised the bid to 1.1 crore, prompting Giants to counter with a bid of 1.2 crore. The tension peaked as Giants, with a confident smile, elevated the bid to an extraordinary 1.4 crore.

The auction climaxed at an unprecedented INR 2 crore, prompting a thoughtful deliberation within the UP Warriorz camp. In a decisive move, Warriorz eventually withdrew from the contest, bringing an end to a captivating bidding war that showcased the growing recognition and investment in women’s cricket.

Who is Kashvee Gautam?
Kashvee Gautam, a right-arm seamer hailing from Chandigarh, first gained attention in 2020 with a phenomenal ten-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, during a women’s domestic Under-19 one-day game against Arunachal Pradesh. Her exceptional performance earned her a coveted spot in one of the teams participating in the now-former Women’s T20 Challenge.

Despite going unsold in the Women’s Premier League auction last year, Gautam dedicated herself to enhancing her pace based on feedback from scouts. Her domestic cricket record reflects consistency, and this year, she showcased her bowling prowess in the Women’s T20 trophy, claiming 12 wickets in seven games with an impressive economy rate of 4.14.

Gautam also played a pivotal role in India’s success in the ACC Emerging tournament in Hong Kong as part of the Under-23 squad, adding to her growing reputation as a promising talent in women’s cricket. Her historic bid in the WPL auction underscores the recognition and value attributed to her cricketing abilities.