Uncapped Indian pacer Kashvee Gautam, who was acquired for Rs 2 crores by Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction on Saturday, expressed her excitement about working with team mentor and Indian batting legend Mithali Raj. She mentioned that she has focused on practicing her range hitting.
Seam bowler Kashvee Gautam (20), who also possesses powerful batting skills, became India’s most expensive uncapped player at the TATA WPL 2024 Auctions in Mumbai after Gujarat Giants secured her services for Rs 2 crores. WPL experts Aakash Chopra and Reema Malhotra interviewed Kashvee and her parents to discuss the rapid turn of events.
Kashvee, a right-arm seamer from Chandigarh, remained unsold during the previous WPL auction. However, she gained attention by claiming a ten-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, in an ODI game for Chandigarh against Arunachal Pradesh at the women’s domestic Under-19 competition. Subsequently, she earned a spot in the Women’s T20 Challenge, the precursor to WPL.
During the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy tournament, she impressed with 12 wickets in seven games at an economy of 4.14. In June, Kashvee was part of India’s triumphant Under-23 squad at the ACC Emerging tournament in Hong Kong. Recently, she played two games during the A series, picking up three wickets for India A. Reflecting on her Rs two crore acquisition by Gujarat Giants, Kashvee expressed her excitement, stating, “I am very excited to be a part of Gujarat Giants. It is quite unbelievable at the moment.
I was travelling in the team bus after practice and was informed about the auction by a teammate. The amount kept rising, and I was selected.” Kashvee is looking forward to working with Mithali Raj, stating, “It is a huge opportunity for me to showcase my skills. We have always looked up to Mithali ji. It is a great opportunity for me to interact with her and seek tips from her.