New Delhi: Gujarat Giants (GG) secured Mumbai all-rounder Simran Shaikh for an impressive ₹1.90 crore at the Women’s Premier League 2025 auction, which took place in Bengaluru on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
In a fierce bidding contest between the Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals, the Giants emerged victorious, securing a batter renowned for her aggressive style. GG coach Michael Klinger stated that Simran, along with Dottin—who returns to the team for the 2025 season—were two crucial players they specifically targeted and successfully signed.
Most Expensive buy of the afternoon!
Simran Shaikh is off to play for Gujarat Giants this 2025 #TATAWPL Season#TATAWPLAuction | @Giant_Cricket pic.twitter.com/SJap7eAzIC
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) December 15, 2024
Simran Shaikh reacts after joining #GujaratGiants ahead of #TATAWPL2025 #TATAWPLAuction #JioCinemaSports #WPLAuctiononJioStar pic.twitter.com/5hQBeFQRzG
— Sports18 (@Sports18) December 15, 2024
Klinger highlighted that the management had been keeping a close watch on domestic competitions in India, observing Simran’s ability to hit powerful shots and her knack for striking sixes from the very beginning, which aligns perfectly with the team’s needs for the upcoming season.
Klinger stated, “We’ve been watching the local competitions closely, including the T20s and the Challengers. She stands out in terms of her hitting power and strike rate, complementing the other local Indian players in our squad. Having someone like her, potentially in our top six or seven who can hit sixes right away, completes our team. We were targeting her.”
Simran Shaikh, who was viewing the auction with her family, expressed her feelings and said that she was watching when suddenly the room erupted in cheers. She hadn’t anticipated it and was left stunned. When Gujarat Giants chose her, she felt immense happiness. She also mentioned that she would give her utmost effort to honor their trust and contribute her best.
Simran previously represented the UP Warriorz but had a challenging stint with the team during the first season of the tournament in 2023, accumulating just 29 runs in nine matches, with a top score of 11. She went unsold in the 2024 auction. However, she showed significant improvement in the recently finished Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, amassing 176 runs in 11 games, with a highest score of 47.
