WPL Auction 2024: 'It's unfair!' says Anjum Chopra on this WBBL star going unsold

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Former Indian captain Anjum Chopra was left stunned after seeing Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu going unsold at the WPL Auction 2024 despite putting up a show at the WBBL recently. Chopra said it was unfair that none of the WPL franchises found her worthy to be picked for the team.

"It's unfair because people in that auction room would have watched her performance in the WBBL," said Anjum Chopra on JioCinema. "They would have seen what happened in England. She wouldn't 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's 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."

Some of the other names made good money, with Indian seam bowler Kashvee Gautam (Gujarat Giants, Rs 2 crore), all-rounder Annabel Sutherland (Delhi Capitals, Rs 2 crore) and batter Vrinda Dinesh (UP Warriorz, Rs 1.3 crore) emerged the top picks at the WPL Auction 2024 in Mumbai on Saturday.

Speaking on Kashvee Gautam, Saba Karim said on JioCinema: "India's uncapped players have done well of late and they are being rewarded for their performances. The talent scouts have noticed that these players can be effective at the top level also. But the amount spent on Kashvee Gautam and Vrinda Dinesh has to be the story of the day. If they go for such amounts of money, it's monumental. It speaks highly of the capabilities of these youngsters."

On Vrinda Dinesh, Anjum Chopra said: "I am wondering where they will slot Vrinda Dinesh in. Yes, it's nice to get a youngster in but they already have Shweta Sehrawat and Parshavi Chopra. When you get someone like Vrinda Dinesh, you want some freshness in the squad and you can get her to open the innings with Alyssa Healy but that also puts pressure on someone like Kiran Navgire. So, I am concerned about Shweta Sehrawat and Vrinda Dinesh - both U-23 players now. It's a good buy but Rs 1.3 crore is big money."

On Delhi Capitals spending Rs 2 crore on all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, Abhinav Mukund said: "DC were pretty much done with the auction after spending Rs 2 crore on Sutherland. The plans of both Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals was pretty clear.
"They were focusing on strengthening their teams. Overall, it's a great pick for Delhi Capitals. They are trusting their younger Indian spinners because I immediately feel that Jess Jonassen could make way for Annabel Sutherland."