Former Indian skipper Anjum Chopra expressed surprise at Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu going unsold in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction on Sunday.
Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland and uncapped Indian pacer Kashvee Gautam attracted the biggest bids of Rs 2 crore each from the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Gujarat Giants (GG), respectively, while another uncapped India batter, Vrinda Dinesh, from Karnataka, was bought by UP Warriorz for Rs 1.3 crore at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction 2024 on Saturday.
However, one of the biggest surprises of the event was Chamari going unsold, despite being a sought-after player in T20 leagues worldwide and her recent great form. England’s Tammy Beaumont, Australian all-rounder Kim Garth, and West Indies legend Deandra Dottin were other notable big stars who went unsold.
Anjum expressed surprise at Chamari going unsold, calling it unfair because she is influential enough to tell people what she really is through her batting and all-round performances.
“It is unfair because people in that auction room would have watched her performance in the WBBL. They would have seen what happened in England. She would not have to tell people who she is. She has that influence through her performances with the bat. So, I am really surprised that a player with all-round abilities like hers is going unsold. Here is a player who can do two jobs for you and is still going unsold. How is it that these teams are not seeing the quality that this player possesses,” said Anjum. In 122 T20Is, Chamari has scored 2,651 runs at an average of 22.65, with a strike rate of over 106.
She has scored a century and eight fifties, and her best score is 113. She also has 40 wickets in the format, with the best figures of 3/17.
