The strategic mind of captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a pivotal role in shaping the Mumbai Indians squad during the recent Women's Premier League (WPL) player auction, according to the franchise's bowling coach and mentor, Jhulan Goswami. Her insights were instrumental in the successful acquisition of key international stars like powerhouse all-rounder Amelia Kerr and express pacer Shabnim Ismail.
Captain's Voice at the Auction Table
In an exclusive conversation with JioHostar, the legendary former India fast bowler emphasized the immense value of having the team's leader actively involved in the auction planning process. "As captain, Harman's inputs are always crucial during auction planning. At the end of the day, she leads this team and has been incredibly successful," Jhulan stated.
She elaborated that the captain's perspective was the cornerstone of their strategy. "Her inputs have been the most important part of the entire auction process. Our job is to support her on and off the field. Having her at the auction table was a huge advantage, her thoughts mattered deeply, and they helped us retain the core of this team," Goswami added.
Mumbai Indians' Winning Blueprint
Explaining the reigning champions' approach, Jhulan said the primary objective was continuity. "The important thing for us was to retain our strong support group of players. That's how we've won two championships in the last three years. That was the basic plan, nothing more," she remarked, highlighting the team's success since the WPL's inception in 2023.
On their marquee signings for the upcoming season, Goswami expressed particular delight. "Amelia Kerr (New Zealand) was a great buy. She gives us so much, variation, volume and balance. Over the last three years, she has performed exceptionally well in the tournament, and as an all-rounder, she is very important," she said.
The acquisition of South African speedster Shabnim Ismail was another masterstroke. "Along with her, Shabnim Ismail (South Africa) was another excellent buy. We didn't expect to get Shabnim at such a low price. So, from a budget perspective, our planning worked well. It was a pleasant surprise because we thought she would go for a much higher amount," the MI coach revealed.
UP Warriorz's Strategic Wins: Deepti & Ecclestone
Meanwhile, UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar shed light on his team's successful auction strategy, which centered on securing star all-rounder Deepti Sharma and world-class English spinner Sophie Ecclestone. Deepti, fresh from a Player of the Tournament award in India's recent ODI World Cup triumph, was their top target.
"Deepti was always a priority. It's a steal you don't often see in Indian cricket. We're always happy to have her back," Nayar exclaimed. He explained that with their first retention costing ₹3.5 crore, acquiring a player of Deepti's caliber at the auction felt like a major bargain.
The most satisfying bid for the Warriorz, however, was for Sophie Ecclestone. "I think most players went for the numbers we had prepared for. But Sophie Ecclestone was a surprise for us. She's a marquee player and someone who has delivered for years. I had kept ₹1.8 crore in mind, so getting her at ₹85 lakh was a big surprise. I believe the timing worked in our favour," Nayar stated.
Reflecting on the overall execution of their plan, the coach said, "I think, barring Amelia, whom we missed out on, we managed to sign almost everyone we bid for." He also mentioned that bowler Sree Charani was a last-minute consideration not part of the original strategy, and the team would now reassess their options.
The insights from both camps underscore the intense planning and strategic acumen that goes into the high-stakes WPL auction, setting the stage for another thrilling season of women's franchise cricket.
