Tue Feb 18 15:00:00 UTC 2025: **Mumbai All-Rounder Simran Shaikh Sold for Record-Breaking Price at WPL Auction**

**Bengaluru, Dec 16, 2024** – Simran Shaikh, a 22-year-old middle-order batter from Mumbai, has been acquired by the Gujarat Giants for a staggering ₹1.90 crore (approximately $23 million USD) at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction. This makes her the most expensive player purchased at this year’s auction.

Shaikh, who hails from the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, began playing cricket at 15 with neighborhood boys. After a successful stint with Mumbai’s U19 women’s team and a season with the UP Warriorz, she showcased her talent in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, scoring 176 runs in 11 matches for Mumbai, averaging 22 with a strike rate of 100.57. Despite being released by UP Warriorz after the 2022 season due to poor performance, her recent success clearly impressed the Gujarat Giants.

Shaikh, whose father is an electrician, aspires to play for the Indian national team and hopes to one day meet her idol, Virat Kohli. Her remarkable journey from the streets of Dharavi to becoming the most expensive player in the WPL auction is a testament to her dedication and skill.

Read More