Lucknow: Women cricketers in Lucknow are set to receive both a competitive platform and financial recognition, with the first-ever Lucknow Women’s Premier League witnessing an enthusiastic player auction on Friday.
Around two dozen rated players attracted bids of up to ₹25,000 each as six franchises competed to strengthen their squads. In several cases, two or more franchises offered the maximum bid of ₹25,000, forcing the organisers to use a lottery to determine the player’s team.
The auction was inaugurated by Cricket Association Lucknow president and league chairman Dr Navneet Sehgal, CAL secretary KM Khan, league commissioner S.P. Mishra and deputy commissioner Priyanka Shaili. A book on women’s cricket written by journalist Vandana Mishra was also released on the occasion.
The franchise purse was initially fixed at ₹2 lakh but was later increased to ₹2.5 lakh by Sehgal, allowing teams greater flexibility during the auction.
Lucknow Nawabi Queens and REPL Lucknow Challengers signed the highest number of rated players, with six each. Four Square Lucknow Warriors picked five, Lucknow Sherneez four, Sage Falcon three and Rahimabad Royals two.
Aroma Tyagi was bought for ₹24,500, while other rated players reached the ₹25,000 ceiling. The base price for other players was fixed at ₹3,000, with bids capped at ₹5,000.
The league is expected to provide women cricketers with increased exposure and opportunities to compete at a structured franchise level.
