Mita Paul was the top Women’s pick at ₹3 lakh in the Bengal T20 League’s largest-ever player auction, where franchises spent over ₹4.5 crore on their Men’s and Women’s teams. A total of 136 players were signed by men’s teams and 128 by women’s teams, with each men’s franchise forming a 17-player squad and each women’s team a 16-player squad. The auctions showcased a focus on grassroots development by including young talents in the squads.
In the Men’s Auction, Shahbaz Ahmed was the highest-paid player at ₹12.20 lakh, retained by Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers. The Women’s Auction also saw significant investments, with Mita Paul valued at ₹3 lakh and young talent Ariktha Manna making a mark at ₹1.55 lakh. The auctions highlighted the increasing competitiveness in women’s cricket in Bengal, with franchises collectively spending close to ₹88 lakh in the Women’s Auction alone.
The Men’s Auction featured strong demand for youth players, with Ravi Kumar and Rohit emerging as the highest-paid U19 and U16 players, respectively. Bablu Kolay, Honorary Secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal, emphasized the league’s role in providing opportunities for cricketers in Bengal and nurturing talent across different age groups.
