'They are multi-dimensional players': Ex-India cricketer Aakash Chopra makes bombshell prediction for WPL 2024 auction

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra made a bombshell prediction for the upcoming WPL 2024 auction, which is scheduled for December 9.

Updated on: Dec 8, 2023, 12:19:34 IST

By Neelav Chakravarti

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The Women's Premier League is back again as cricket fans around the world will switch on their televisions on December 9 for the upcoming WPL 2024 auction. A total of 165 cricketers will go under the hammer in Mumbai, out of which 104 players are Indian and 61 are overseas, including 15 from associate nations.

WPL 2024 auction is scheduled for December 9. (PTI)

We could see plenty of mega-bidding wars on Saturday, with Deandra Dottin and Kim Garth having the highest base price of ₹50 lakh. Meanwhile, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Weareham, Amy Jones and Shabnim Ismail have been slotted in at a bse price of ₹40 lakh.

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Speaking to Hindustan Times, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, who is also JioCinema's WPL expert, analysed the upcoming auction and picked two players who could trigger a mega-bidding war. "I am going with Chamari Athapaththu and Deandra Dottin. Between the two, because they are multi-dimensional players. There is a unique thing actually in women's cricket. It is not something that we see very often with men's cricket, which is the multi-dimensional cricketing skills. I think all women are multi-taskers and most men are very uni-dimensional. So, these two," he said.

Sri Lankan captain Athapaththu was left unpicked in the auction last year, which left plenty of fans and experts shocked. Meanwhile, Dottin was picked by Gujarat Giants for ₹60 lakh, after her bidding began at ₹50 lakh. But she missed the entire season after getting ruled out due to controversial circumstances.

"This whole tournament is littered with some great all-rounders and these two were missing out in action last year and they will add value. I mean Deandra Dottin can actually strike the ball and so can ChaChamari Athapaththu to be honest," he said.

Ahead of WPL 2023, it was reported by ESPNCricinfo that Dottin was recovering from a medical situation, to which she gave a stunning reaction. Taking to Instagram, she posted a story, where she posted a screenshot of the report and denied that she was medically unfit. She wrote, "Get well soon from what if I may ask?"

Meanwhile, Australia's Kim Garth was announced as her replacement. But both players have been released by Gujarat.

Speaking on Dottin's release from Gujarat, he said, "I think they got a replacement for her at that point of time, if I remember correctly. So, I think obviously we didn't really hear the full story of what happened there and I am not going to speculate either. But now she is back in the auction."

"Gujarat, to be fair, their auction strategy was flawed to begin with, when we saw their team last year. It was just there for everyone to see that we are not going to get it right. Their auction strategy was not making a lot of sense and a lot of big ticket buyers and absolutely very little money was spent on the Indians. So they were the only franchise that didn't target a key Indian player and so now they obviously have to change strategy and figure out a way which is never easy in the smaller auction. I don't know why they let her go, but given a choice they would want her back, because they have released Kim Garth, Annabel Sutherland. Both are like a medium-pace all-rounder category, which Deandra Dottin does the job as well, goes around the stumps, bowls wide and she is very, very experienced. You would want her to be in the action for sure," he further added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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