New Delhi, October 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
BCCI President Mithun Manhas on Thursday said the signing of teenage players Uma Kashvi and Samaira Raghav at the 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction reflected a “catch them young” approach, highlighting the growing competitiveness of women’s cricket in India.
Delhi Capitals signed uncapped all-rounder Kashvi, who represents Karnataka in domestic cricket, for Rs 10 lakh at the auction held in Kochi on Wednesday. She became the youngest player to be picked to compete in the league.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Giants secured 16-year-old all-rounder Samaira Raghav, who plays for Delhi in domestic cricket, for the same amount. The 2027 WPL season is scheduled to take place from January 14 to February 7.
“Well, it’s heartening to see. The WPL has come a long way since its inception in 2023, and the icing on the cake was the 15-year-old Uma (Kashvi) getting picked. I think it’s a record-breaking thing for WPL and fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Manhas said.
“Then there’s another girl who’s just 16 (Samaira Raghav) who got picked as well. So I think the mantra for this auction was to catch them young,” he added in a video posted on the WPL’s social media handles.
Around 150 players were part of the auction pool, while only 27 slots were available. Manhas said the competition for the limited opportunities reflected how much women’s cricket had evolved in the country since the WPL began in 2023.
“You see, there is a high level of competition as well now. We had a pool of about 150-odd players, and we just had 27 slots. So that shows how competitive it has become, and I guess from here on, it’s a matter of time. I hope the players continue to grow, learn and evolve from such competitions and that will help Indian cricket grow in the long run,” he said.
Manhas also emphasised that the league’s competitive environment would help expand its fan base while giving players valuable experience in handling high-pressure situations.
“It’s good to see the competition that the game is bringing. When you see such competitive games, that will help the fan base as well to grow. I think it is good for the players as well because they will learn how to handle those special situations. Ultimately, it is beneficial for Indian cricket,” he said.
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