Danni Wyatt-Hodge, a key English T20 player, has been traded from UP Warriorz (UPW) to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the reigning WPL champions. This marks a significant transfer ahead of the Women’s Premier League’s third season, expected in early 2025. The WPL confirmed Wyatt-Hodge’s transfer, stating she will retain her previous fee of INR 30 lakh from the December 2023 auction.
Wyatt-Hodge, who has played extensively in T20I cricket, is the third-most capped player in the world with 164 appearances for England. Only Harmanpreet Kaur and Suzie Bates have appeared more often, and she has scored 2,979 runs at a strike rate of 127.85 with two centuries and 16 half-centuries. Recently, her performance shone at the T20 World Cup, where she led England’s score chart with 151 runs at an impressive average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 124.79.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge to carry her legacy to RCB from UP Warriorz
She could not get any attention initially. She went to the initial WPL auction with her base price being INR 50 lakh. This did not make a difference; she eventually played for UPW in season two of WPL but did not get any chance to take the field for UPW as UPW failed to go to the playoffs at the fourth spot. Wyatt-Hodge currently plays in the Women’s Big Bash League of Australia for Hobart Hurricanes.
Speaking over Wyatt-Hodge’s introduction, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana commented that she was thrilled that the side had included a game-changing player like herself; “Her skills and her fighting qualities really align with our vision in the team,” she told reporters and RCB fans were eagerly looking up towards the new addition to this great team.
Ahead of the third WPL season, franchise auctions are likely to be conducted in December and team retention lists by early November. Under the rules of WPL, every franchise is entitled to have a maximum of 18 players in the active roster and six overseas superstars. Last season saw the likes of Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, and Georgia Wareham playing for RCB overseas and demonstrated that the side is very strong internationally with perfection in all games.
Wyatt-Hodge, most likely should improve the overall depth of the squad and add batting strength to the team’s lineup in an attempt to successfully defend their title.
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