Right-arm seamer Kashvee Gautam made headlines in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction, grabbing attention by becoming the most expensive uncapped player at just 20 years old. The Gujarat Titans secured her for a hefty INR 2 crore, marking a significant moment in the auction.
Kashvee Gautam, known for her right-arm pace and batting prowess, carved her place in history by claiming ten wickets, including a remarkable hat-trick, during a domestic match between Chandigarh and Arunachal Pradesh in a women’s district Under-19 competition back in 2020.
Facing disappointment in the WPL 2023 auction where she remained unsold, Kashvee persisted with her stellar on-field performances, catching the eye of franchises. Her impressive record of 12 wickets in 7 matches at an economy rate of 4.14 in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy demanded attention. Additionally, she contributed to India’s triumph in the ACC Emerging tournament held in Hong Kong in June while playing for the Under-23 team.
Bidding War Between Gujarat Titans And UP Warriorz
The tension heightened when UP Warriorz entered at INR 75 lakh, introducing a new dynamic to the proceedings. Despite this, Giants showed unwavering determination, pushing the bid well beyond the INR 1 crore mark. Warriorz responded with a bid of 1.1 crore, but Giants preemptively countered, elevating the bid to 1.2 crore. This continued as Giants further raised the bid to a remarkable 1.4 crore.
At the pivotal moment of INR 2 crore, the auction reached a momentary pause, leading to contemplation within the Warriorz camp. Ultimately, Gujarat Giants emerged triumphant as UP Warriorz withdrew their bid after Gujarat Giants offered Rs 2 crore, securing Kashvee as the most expensive player in the WPL 2024 auction alongside Australia's Annabel Sutherland.
Kashvee's cricketing journey
At 14, Kashvee embarked on her cricketing journey and has since remained dedicated to the sport. Her participation in the Women's T20 Challenge, previously organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) alongside the Indian Premier League (IPL), showcased her skills before the advent of the WPL. Recently, Kashvee also contributed to the A series against England in Mumbai, featuring in two matches and securing three wickets for India A.
With this substantial bid, fans are eagerly anticipating Kashvee Gautam's performance in the upcoming WPL season, likely to kick off in February.