‘Justice for Smriti Mandhana…’ – Fans react as Bangalore buys star India batter for INR 340 lakhs in Women’s T20 League 2023 Auction

Star India opener Smriti Mandhana broke the bank at the player’s auction of the Women’s T20 League 2023. Mandhana, being the first buy of the day, was bought by a Bangalore-based franchise for a whooping sum of INR 340 lakhs. India vice-captain Mandhana attracted a bidding war between Bangalore and Mumbai franchise which eventually Bangalore won. Her base price was INR 50 lakhs.

Smriti who is currently with the Indian squad for the Women’s 20-20 World Cup in South Africa is likely to captain the Bangalore franchise in the inaugural season of the Women’s T20 league. The 26-year-old batter has represented India in 112 T20I matches and has scored 2651 runs at an average of 27.32. She has smashed 20 half-centuries in the period.

In the first round of the auction, the Bangalore-based franchise bought Australia and New Zealand stalwart Ellysa Perry and Sophie Devine. After making these buys the director of cricket operations at a Bangalore-based franchise said, “Everyone knows Mandhana and Perry, we were pretty committed to the couple of people we wanted to get. we’re very happy to get such quality players. it’s a dream result for us to get Mandhana, Perry, and Devine. Smriti has got plenty of captaincy experience and is familiar with the Indian conditions so highly likely.”

Smriti Mandhana is out of touch for a few months 

However, India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is not in great touch for the last few months. She has scored only 107 runs in the last nine innings out of which 74 came against West Indies at East London during the recently concluded Tri-series. Mandhana also didn’t play against Pakistan in the opening game of India in the Women’s 20-20 World Cup because of an injury.

According to the stand-in coach of the Indian Team Mandhana injured the middle figure of her left hand during the Warm-up game against Australia last week. Although, social media erupt with messages as Smriti becomes the most expensive player in the league. Comparing her entry in the Bangalore team with Virat Kohli a Twitter user wrote, “ No.18 is not out of Bengaluru.”

Here are a few tweets

Choker team will make smirti trophyless

— Harman (@62AtTheGabba) February 13, 2023

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Another star player's fame destroyed

— {☆$ùññý_šŔŔŔh》 (@SrrrH_Fans) February 13, 2023

So, she will be Trophyless whole life? 🙁

— kp (@Keval_Ancient) February 13, 2023

Supporting Rcb🥰 🔥🔥
Mandana,Perry,Devine
Ennada panni vechukirnga🤣. Three possible best captains Rcb mass eh pic.twitter.com/Q9czLUg0bS

— Abiram (@abiram_025) February 13, 2023

Smriti receiving highest run getter award after losing trophy : pic.twitter.com/L2e13YxiRl

— CricwormAnna (@CricwormA) February 13, 2023

I think RCB women team shall lift the inaugural WPL Title.
As far as auction is concerned.

— Maheswari Ramesh (@rameswari_4) February 13, 2023

OMG ! This is Probably more than Babar Azam and Rizwan put together for PSL @_FaridKhan 😃 3.4cr INR is almost 10cr PKR 🤣

— Bhav tweets (@Bhavin25996297) February 13, 2023

Mi should’ve put more, anyway get jemi and shafali

— Broncos 2022 (@2022_broncos) February 13, 2023

Lowest point of smriti's career 😭

— Ashutosh Rai (@31_FOREVER_) February 13, 2023