The game-changing auction saw the five teams; Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz pick up a total of 87 players. There will be thirty overseas players in the league, with Sophie Ecclestone the most expensive non-India player bought by UP Warriorz for INR 180.

The tournament will conclude on March 26 with the final at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Find the full fixtures list and match timings for the 2023 WPL here

WPL captains 2023: Full list of skippers for each side

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Smriti Mandhana

The left-handed Mandhana was the first buy in the auction and cost RCB over a quarter of their purse at INR 3.4 crore. She is India’s vice-captain, and has captained 11 T20Is which indicates part of her price would have been dictated by her leadership qualities. She struck a fifty in the recent T20 World Cup group stage game against England.

UP Warriorz – Alyssa Healy

Deepti Sharma seemed the obvious choice as the most senior India player in the squad. Other options include the Australians Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath as well as Sophie Ecclestone. The only international captaincy experience amongst that overseas trio is Healy who is vice-captain of Australia. The franchise picked Healy as the skipper in the end.

Mumbai Indians – Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur was an obvious choice for the Mumbai Indians after the India captain was picked up for INR 1.8 crore. Both the IPL and WPL sides for Mumbai Indians will now be led by the national team captain. She will have England’s vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in the squad as well for leadership support.

Gujarat Giants – Beth Mooney

The Gujarat Titans announced an overseas captain. Australia duo Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney were the best options available. Mooney was sold to Gujarat Giants for INR 2 crore.

Delhi Capitals – Meg Lanning

There were three main contenders for the job; Jemimah Rodrigues, Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma. In Rodrigues, they have arguably the best young batting talent in the women’s game and the franchise might see her as a long-term option. She has been named the vice-captain of the squad. Meg Lanning is captain of the most successful team in women’s cricket history and there were no surprises when she was named the skipper of the side.