RCB and GG announce Shraddha Pokarkar and Sayali Sathgare as replacement for Kanika Ahuja and Kashvee Gautam in WPL 2024

Women’s Premier League franchises Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Giants have announced Shraddha Pokarkar and Sayali Sathgare as the replacement of Kanika Ahuja and Kashvee Gautam. Kashvee was picked up by the Gujarat Giants for a price of INR 2 crore in the WPL 2024 auction. On the other hand, Kanika went to RCB for a price of INR 35 lakhs.

Kashvee Gautam, who became the most expensive uncapped player in the history of the Women’s Premier League auction, sustained ahead of the WPL 2024. Ahuja will also be missing the tournament due to an injury due to which Shraddha Poharkar has been signed at a reserve price of INR 10 lakh.

RCB and GG announce Shraddha Pokarkar and Sayali Sathgare as replacements for Kanika Ahuja and Kashvee Gautam for WPL 2024

The Women’s Premier League issued a press release for the same and informed about the development. The press release read, “Rising star Kashvee Gautam, the most expensive uncapped Indian player in the history of TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) has been ruled out of the upcoming second edition owing to an injury.”

“The Gujarat Giants, who had secured the services of Kashvee for INR 2 crore have named Mumbai’s Sayali Sathgare as a replacement at a reserve price of INR 10 lakhs.”

“India All-rounder Kanika Ahuja too, is ruled out of the WPL 2024 owing to an injury. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have named Shradda Pokharkar, Maharashtra’s left-arm fast bowler as a replacement. She has been signed at a reserve price of INR 10 lakhs.”

The 2024 edition of the Women’s Premier League is all set to start on February 24, 2024, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The last edition of the tournament was played at the Brabourne and the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On the other hand, this season will be played in Bengaluru and New Delhi, which host a total of 11 games.

The tournament will kickstart from the opening match between the reigning champions Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. The second match of the five-team tournament will be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz. New Delhi will host the two playoffs whereas an Eliminator will be played on March 15. The final of the tournament will be played on March 17.

The first match of the Women’s Premier League 2024, will be a repeat of the final of the last edition of the tournament. Mumbai Indians were able to defeat Delhi Capitals under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals was led by veteran Australian captain Meg Lanning.

Royal Challengers Bangalore despite having star players such as Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, and Sophie Devine, ended up on the bottom of the table and were not able to perform well. Gujarat Giants on the other hand were not able to qualify for the playoffs and ended up losing to UP Warriorz and were out of the contention from playing the knockouts of the tournament.

Mumbai Indians will be aiming to repeat their performance under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur on the other hand, Meg Lanning will want to lift their first title of the WPL. Royal Challengers Bangalore, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants will also look forward to performing well this season.