The BCCI wants to leave no stone unturned to make the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) a huge success.
Last month, the board announced the five successful bidders for the WPL after it confirmed that Viacom 18 had committed INR 951 crore to bag the media rights of the tournament for a period of five years (2023-27).
On Monday (February 13), a total of 409 cricketers will go under the hammer in the inaugural WPL auction in Mumbai.
One of the most sought-after names during the auction would be Jemimah Rodrigues, a key member of the Indian women's cricket team.
Speaking to JioCinema, Jemimah opened up on her early days in Mumbai, the struggles and excitement ahead of the maiden WPL.
"I just loved playing cricket and all I wanted to do was that. So, wherever we would get players, you know - a lot of times we didn't have grounds at that time - especially for a girl playing cricket in India was pretty odd at that time. Would not say it's not happening. But I personally and my dad, who was my coach, he also didn't know that women's cricket existed. I just played for the pure joy of playing cricket," Jemimah Rodrigues stated.
Speaking about her idol while growing up, she said: "So, growing up, being a Mumbaikar, there is only one name that comes out, Sachin Tendulkar. I mean, it is a crime if I say another name. But no, I think growing up he was the one because I remember everyone saying the moment Sachin Tendulkar used to get out, the TV was turned off. It was a similar thing in my house."
Jemimah, who has scored 1575 runs for India in the shortest format from 75 games at an average of 29.71, also shared her excitement about the WPL auction process.
"We have always watched the men's IPL and how the auctions are going to be. I was already glued to it and it is very exciting."
"So, we always imagine what it would be like for us to experience that kind of a moment and have not experienced that yet because it has not yet happened. But when it happens, I'm sure it's going to be special because it's the first edition of the WPL."
