What if India legend Mithali Raj was part of the WPL auction?

If the Women’s Premier League (WPL) had launched during former India captain Mithali Raj‘s peak years—particularly around 2017–2019, when she was the undisputed backbone of Indian cricket—there is little doubt she would have been the most prized batting icon in the league’s inaugural auction.

By that period, Mithali wasn’t just a cricketer; she was the face of Indian women’s cricket. She held the record for the most ODI runs, had already led India to World Cup final, and symbolised calm, class and unmatched consistency. Her presence in the auction pool would have transformed the entire bidding dynamic and elevated the league’s commercial and sporting appeal overnight.

Mithali Raj: A generational batting superstar who would’ve headlined the WPL

Teams entering the inaugural WPL auction would have viewed Mithali not simply as a player but as a marquee brand asset—someone who guarantees visibility, stability and world-class batting returns. In an era when dependable top-order batters were rare, and Indian franchises desperately sought reliable anchors in T20 cricket, Mithali’s reputation as a run-machine would have commanded unprecedented value.

Her calmness, temperament and ability to build innings under pressure would have been a priceless asset, especially in the big-ticket matches that define a franchise’s season. Franchises looking for a match-winning captain, on-field tactician and high-profile face would have engaged in a ferocious bidding war to secure her services.

What would Mithali have fetched at a WPL mega auction?

In terms of auction value, Mithali would have easily been benchmarked against the highest-paid players of the league. Much like the foreign superstars who crossed the INR 3 crore mark—and elite Indian picks who touched INR 2.5 crore—Mithali’s bidding would have comfortably exceeded those figures.

Given her stature, records and leadership pedigree, her final price would likely have landed between INR 3.5 crore and INR 4.5 crore, potentially making her:

• The highest-paid Indian batter in WPL history
• A marquee signing comparable to Virat Kohli in the IPL’s early years
• A commercial icon for any franchise seeking an identity-defining leader

The team that failed to bag her in the auction would have instantly felt the strategic disadvantage—missing out not just on India’s greatest batter, but on a captain who could define a franchise for years.

Also READ: What if India legend Jhulan Goswami was part of WPL auction?

The tactical impact of Mithali

A franchise that secured Mithali would have gained far more than a world-class No.3 batter. Her tactical intelligence, leadership skills and composure under pressure would have made her the heartbeat of the squad.

On-field impact

• She would anchor the innings across formats, building partnerships and guiding chases.
• Her experience against every major international attack would provide stability during collapses.
• Her hunger for perfection and shot-selection discipline would set the blueprint for the team’s batting culture.

Leadership and mentoring

• Mithali, having led India for over a decade, would naturally slot in as the captain or vice-captain.
• Young stars like Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh or emerging domestic talents would have had no better mentor.
• Her extensive tactical knowledge—from reading pitches to structuring chasing strategies—would enhance the entire dressing room’s IQ.

Cultural and commercial value

• Mithali’s calm charisma and global stature would elevate the franchise’s brand value instantly.
• She would become the face of media interactions, sponsorships and promotional campaigns.
• Her professionalism would set a high-performance environment similar to what leaders like MS Dhoni and Harmanpreet Kaur established for their teams.

While fans missed the opportunity to witness her in WPL colours, imagining Mithali in a franchise jersey—anchoring chases, mentoring young prodigies, and leading with her trademark poise—remains a thrilling what-if scenario that highlights her enduring influence on Indian cricket.

Also READ: WPL 2026 Mega Auction: Complete list of unsold players

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.