NEW DELHI: Star India opener Smriti Mandhana stole the thunder becoming the most expensive buy at the inaugural Women’s Premier League auction in Mumbai on Monday.
The five franchises went out on a shopping spree, shelling out big bucks for domestic and international stars at the first ever WPL auction.

Mandhana led the auction chart with Royal Challengers Bangalore splurging a record Rs 3.4 crore for the stylish left-hander. The Bangalore franchise pipped Mumbai Indians in a bidding war to buy the services of India vice-captain.

Australia’s off-spinning all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who picked up a fifer in the recent Women’s T20 World Cup match against New Zealand, became the joint second biggest buy of the day.
The Gautam Adani-owned Gujarat Giants bought Gardner for a whopping Rs 3.2 crore, making her the joint highest paid international star at the auction.

The third biggest earner of the day was England all-rounder Natalie Sciver who was picked up by the Mumbai franchise.
The 30-year-old got a pay cheque of Rs 3.2 crore.

Seasoned India all-rounder Deepti Sharma also raked in the mullah as she became the second costliest Indian at the auction.
The Arga-born 25-year-old was snapped by UP Warriorz for Rs 2.6 crore.

The fifth costliest buy of the day was India batter Jemimah Rodrigues who went to Delhi Capitals. Rodrigues, on Sunday, starred in India’s clinical win over arch-rivals Pakistan, when she scored an unbeaten 53 in India’s 7-wicket win at the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup.

The Delhi-based franchise shelled out Rs 2.2 crore for 22-year-old.
Teen sensation Shafali Verma was the joint 6th highest earner at the auction along with Australia’s Beth Mooney. Both were bought for Rs 2 crore each by Delhi and Gujarat franchises respectively.