India’s young speedster Kashvee Gautam who became the most expensive uncapped Indian player at the WPL auction 2024, says that she wants to take the wicket of Australian opener Alyssa Healy. The Chandigarh-based seamer was bought for a whopping amount of Rs 2 crore by Gujarat Giants at the auction on Saturday. She is also a power hitter of the ball.
“It’s 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.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me to showcase my skills. We have always looked up to Mithali ji. It’s a great opportunity for me to interact with her and seek tips from her,” said Gautam.
Kashvee’s initial price was 10 lakh and in the auction, she found herself in the middle of a bidding from two teams, Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Back in 2020, she made headlines when she picked up 10 wickets, including a hat-trick in a women’s domestic U19 one-day game. Even after playing 24 T20I games and scalping 22 wickets, she went unsold in the 2023 WPL auction.
“I think Alyssa Healy or any other foreign batter like Hayley Matthews.” Gautam was not part of the opening WPL edition but she tracked the proceedings from the sidelines and learned from them too.
“I think teams need to be more impactful in the lower middle order batting. They need to accelerate in the last 3-4 overs, so I have practiced accordingly. I have worked on range hitting. I have to be flexible with my bowling, to be able to bowl well with both the new and old balls.”