Mon Dec 16 01:29:57 UTC 2024: ## Cricket Roundup: India Fields, New Zealand Dominates, and WPL Auction Highlights
**MUMBAI, INDIA (Dec 15, 2024)** – A busy day in cricket saw a range of results across formats. In an ongoing test match, India elected to field first, but New Zealand ended Day 3 with a commanding 367-run lead. Meanwhile, South Africa’s women’s team trails by 378 runs in their own match. In shorter formats, Mumbai secured a 5-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare, while the Scorchers triumphed by 6 wickets with 17 balls remaining. India’s Under-19 women’s team also enjoyed a convincing 9-wicket win, completing the match with a comfortable 73 balls in hand.
The day’s action also included the exciting conclusion of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction. A total of 124 players (91 Indian, 29 overseas) went under the hammer, with some notable signings and surprising omissions. Simran Shaikh fetched a high price of INR 1.9 crore to the Giants, while Deandra Dottin joined Gujarat Giants for INR 1.7 crore. Prema Rawat joined RCB for 1.2 crore. Several high-profile players, including Mansi Joshi, Lizelle Lee, and Heather Knight, remained unsold. The auction saw fierce bidding for India U-19 opener G Kamalini. The whereabouts of the defending champions and the potential return of a prominent player (“World Boss”) remain to be seen.
First Piper 