Ira Jadhav tops T20 Mumbai Women's League auction at ₹10 lakh, 363 players auctioned
Synopsis
The inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League auction crowned teenager Ira Jadhav at ₹10 lakh, signalling the MCA's pivot toward grassroots development. With 363 players cycled through three franchises and ₹1.47 crore deployed, the league marks a structural shift: women's cricket in Mumbai now has a formal, competitive pathway — a rarity in Indian domestic sport.
Key Takeaways
Ira Jadhav fetched a record ₹10 lakh at the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League auction on Saturday.
Three franchises — Aakash Tigers , Thane Sky Risers , and SoBo Mumbai Falcons — acquired 50 players from 363 auctioned.
Combined franchise spend: ₹1.47 crore .
Icon Players: Sayali Satghare (SoBo), Saima Thakor (Thane), Humaira Kazi (Aakash).
Sanika Chalke , India U-19 World Cup vice-captain , signed by Aakash Tigers for ₹5.50 lakh .
Teenager Ira Jadhav commanded the highest bid at the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League auction on Saturday, securing ₹10 lakh from Aakash Tigers. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) marked the event as a watershed moment for women's cricket in the city, with franchises completing squad selections across 363 players and a combined spend of ₹1.47 crore to field 50 players across three teams.
Jadhav's record-setting selection
Ira Jadhav, who made headlines last year as the first Indian to score a triple century in U-19 cricket, emerged as the auction's standout pick. Her ₹10 lakh valuation underscores the league's commitment to nurturing emerging talent alongside established domestic performers. "I am really grateful to MCA and Aakash Tigers for having so much faith in me," Jadhav said. "MCA giving all these facilities and venues like the Wankhede Stadium is a really big stepping stone for all of us."
Icon Players and marquee signings
The MCA had pre-announced three Icon Players: Sayali Satghare (SoBo Mumbai Falcons), Saima Thakor (Thane Sky Risers), and Humaira Kazi (Aakash Tigers). Beyond Jadhav, Aakash Tigers acquired India U-19 World Cup vice-captain Sanika Chalke for ₹5.50 lakh, while Thane Sky Risers bolstered their roster with Vrushali Bhagat (₹6 lakh), Khushi Bhatia (₹4.50 lakh), and Zeal Dmello (₹4.50 lakh). SoBo Mumbai Falcons secured Simran Shaikh (₹7 lakh), Hurley Gala (₹5 lakh), and Riya Chaudhari (₹5.50 lakh).
Vision for women's cricket in Mumbai
The league aims to establish a sustainable talent pipeline by offering a competitive platform for identification and progression to higher levels of cricket. Ajinkya Naik, MCA President, said the auction reflected "the depth of promise in our grassroots structure and the opportunities this league is set to create." Rajdip Gupta, Chairman of the League Governing Council, noted that franchises' focus on balancing emerging and experienced players "underlines our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities and a robust pathway for women's cricket in Mumbai."
Squad composition and competitive balance
All three franchises assembled mixed-experience squads. Aakash Tigers added depth with Fatima Jaffer (₹4.25 lakh), Mitali Mhatre (₹2.75 lakh), and Jeeya Mandrawadkar (₹1.50 lakh). The auction structure ensured no single team monopolised high-value picks, fostering competitive balance across the inaugural season.
What's next
The T20 Mumbai Men's League auction is scheduled for later on Saturday, completing the inaugural season's player acquisition phase. The women's tournament is expected to commence shortly thereafter, leveraging Mumbai's established cricket infrastructure including the Wankhede Stadium.
Point of View
Women's cricket in the city existed in the margins — club-level, under-resourced, invisible to franchise models. This league, backed by the MCA and structured around competitive bidding, suggests the association is finally treating women's talent development as a revenue-generating, talent-pipeline investment, not charity. The real test: whether franchises sustain investment post-inaugural season, and whether the league's winners advance to state or national tournaments. If it remains siloed, it's a PR exercise. If it feeds into Ranji-equivalent pathways for women, it's transformational.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the highest-paid player at the T20 Mumbai Women's League auction?
Teenager Ira Jadhav was the highest-paid player, fetching ₹10 lakh from Aakash Tigers. Jadhav gained prominence last year as the first Indian to score a triple century in U-19 cricket.
How many players were auctioned and what was the total spend?
A total of 363 players were auctioned across three franchises, with teams selecting 50 players and spending ₹1.47 crore combined.
Who are the Icon Players in the league?
The three Icon Players are Sayali Satghare (SoBo Mumbai Falcons), Saima Thakor (Thane Sky Risers), and Humaira Kazi (Aakash Tigers).
Which other notable players were signed at the auction?
Sanika Chalke, India U-19 World Cup vice-captain, was acquired by Aakash Tigers for ₹5.50 lakh. Vrushali Bhagat (Thane, ₹6 lakh), Simran Shaikh (SoBo, ₹7 lakh), and Riya Chaudhari (SoBo, ₹5.50 lakh) were also marquee signings.
What is the purpose of the T20 Mumbai Women's League?
The league aims to establish a competitive platform for talent identification, development, and progression to higher levels of cricket, creating a sustainable pathway for women's cricket in Mumbai and leveraging the city's infrastructure including the Wankhede Stadium.
