After men, MPL women players also push for auction

Bhopal: Pushing for pay parity after their male counterparts saw big paydays in the inaugural IPL-style player auction for the upcoming edition of the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL), women cricketers have also called for a similar event to ensure fairness in the evaluation of players.They argued that a player auction similar to the men's event will also boost visibility of the franchises competing in the women's MPL.The men's auction, the first event of its kind for a state-based domestic T20 league, generated huge buzz earlier as franchises recorded bids running into crores.IPL star Ashutosh Sharma emerged as the top earner in the MPL player auction, as he went to Malwa Stallions for Rs 15 lakh. Among other players who fetched top winning bids were Akshat Raghuvanshi at Rs 13.80 lakh, Aniket Verma for Rs 13.20 lakh and Shivang Kumar for Rs 13 lakh.For the women's MPL last season, players were picked through selection trials followed by a players' draft or lottery system. The tournament was witness to several eye-catching performances and exciting finishes drawing the interest and applause of fans.This year, the league is likely to expand to seven teams with two new franchises, setting the stage for more rivalries and nail-biting matches.However, pushing for an IPL-style drafting of players this season, the women cricketers vying for the league said an auction would not only breed more competition but also make the players more marketable."We've proven our mettle on the field, now it's time for the market to recognise it," a leading women's cricketer, who plies her trade in the league, told TOI on the condition of anonymity.Sources in the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) confirmed internal discussions recognising the men's auction as a successful model. The women's league, which was designed to give grassroots talent a platform to shine, gained traction since its launch. The thrilling summit clash last year fetched plenty of eyeballs and viewership.However, players said the retention-focused selection process was limiting opportunities for newcomers yet to feature in the league.According to league officials, an auction would also draw more sponsors and talent scouts, lifting the profile of women's cricket in the state.