WPL 2023: Best starting playing XI of Mumbai Indians (MI) after auction

4. Amanjot Kaur & Priyanka Bala

This year, Amanjot Kaur made her debut for India Women after showcasing her class in domestic cricket for years. She also became the leading run-getter for her domestic team in Chandigarh in the Women’s Senior One-Day Trophy 2020-21. With her batting talent, she piled up 263 runs with a ton and two half-centuries in five games.

Playing for the national side in a couple of WT20I matches, Kaur displayed her fierce batting skills scoring 41 runs in an innings at a phenomenal strike rate of 136.66. At the Player Auction of WPL, she participated with her base price of INR 30 lakh. However, recognising her power-hitting ability, MI invested INR 50 lakhs in her after beating Delhi Capitals (DC) in a bidding war.

Along with Kaur, Priyanka Bala will also play a vital role in reinforcing the MI’s batting line-up. The 27-year-old Bala bagged her WPL contract from MI as the franchise signed her for her base price of INR 20 lakh. She played her last domestic game back in 2021 and couldn’t do wonders with her bat. However, in the first WPL season, there will be an opportunity for her as she could lift her career by delivering solid batting numbers to MI.

5. Sonam Yadav & Pooja Vastrakar 

15-year-old Sonam Yadav became the youngest cricketer to be sold in the WPL auction. The talented left-arm spinner went to Mumbai Indians for her base amount of INR 10 lakh. Recently, she featured in the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup for India and contributed to the team’s title victory taking five wickets in six matches. In the next month’s mega event, Yadav will be expected to form a formidable spin attack for MI along with Saikaa Ishaque.

Pooja Vastrakar is a key member of the current India Women’s squad. With her medium-pace bowling, she has won a lot of games for her national team in her five years of WT20I career. The 23-year-old has featured in 44 WT20Is so far and has bagged 29 scalps at an economy of 6.07.

Considering these WT20I bowling numbers, MI roped her into their team for INR 1.9 crore. The franchise also engaged in a bidding battle with Delhi Capitals (DC) to include her in the team for the next month’s tournament. Going through her impressive bowling figures, the young bowler might be seen spearheading the MI’s bowling unit with her calibre and experience.