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India opener Smriti Mandhana led the Indian presence in the women’s player draft for The Hundred, while compatriot Richa Ghosh secured a deal worth GBP 50,000 (around Rs 61 lakh). All-rounder Deepti Sharma also landed a contract during the auction held here on Wednesday.

A total of 178 players were part of the draft, while 28 had already been retained or signed directly by franchises before the event.

The league is scheduled to begin on July 21 and will conclude on August 16.

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Richa Ghosh lands big deal with Manchester Super Giants

Richa was picked by Manchester Super Giants for GBP 50,000 after the franchise placed a single bid that proved enough to sign the Indian wicketkeeper-batter.

Manchester Super Giants had already strengthened their squad earlier through direct signings, bringing in Mandhana along with Australia legend Meg Lanning. England spinner Sophie Ecclestone was also retained by the team.

Deepti Sharma joins SunRisers Leeds

Deepti, meanwhile, was signed by SunRisers Leeds for GBP 27,500 (approximately Rs 34 lakh), a price many considered a bargain. The franchise initiated the bidding and faced no further challenge to secure the experienced Indian all-rounder.

However, India’s Yastika Bhatia and Sree Charani were left disappointed as they remained unsold in the draft.

Franchise purses and budgets

Each women’s franchise had a purse of GBP 880,000 to build their squads. After accounting for direct signings and retentions, Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Southern Brave and Trent Rockets were left with GBP 520,000 each ahead of the draft.

Meanwhile, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, SunRisers Leeds and Welsh Fire entered the draft with slightly larger budgets, each holding GBP 570,000 in their purse before the bidding began.