Mita Paul Leads Women’s Selection In Bengal T20 League Auction
Mita Paul leads women’s picks in Bengal T20 League auction as top selection.
The Bengal T20 League concluded its largest-ever player auction ahead of the 2026 season, with franchises collectively spending over ₹4.5 crore across both men’s and women’s categories in a bidding process that highlighted growing investment in domestic and youth cricket talent.According to a league release, more than 250 players secured contracts from an auction pool of over 1,000 cricketers. The auction saw intense bidding battles, strategic use of Right to Match (RTM) cards, and strong emphasis on emerging players from Bengal’s developmental cricket pipeline, including U19 and U15 prospects.
A total of 136 players were signed in the men’s auction, while 128 players were picked in the women’s auction. Each men’s franchise completed a 17-member squad, with a mandatory requirement of at least two U19 players. On the women’s side, each team assembled a 16-player squad, ensuring the inclusion of at least two U15 players as part of the league’s grassroots development focus.
In the men’s category, IPL and India all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed emerged as the most expensive player of the auction. He was retained by Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers through the RTM option for ₹12.20 lakh, making him the standout high-value retention of the event. Several other players also crossed the ₹8 lakh mark as franchises competed aggressively for top domestic performers and rising talents.
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The women’s auction also saw significant investments, with Mita Paul emerging as one of the headline picks. Franchises showed strong interest in marquee and young players alike, reflecting the league’s growing competitiveness and focus on building balanced squads for long-term sustainability.Officials noted that the auction reflected a strategic shift towards strengthening both elite and developmental cricket structures within the state.
The inclusion of younger age-group cricketers alongside established names was seen as a key step in expanding the talent pipeline for future seasons.With squads now finalized, attention will turn to the 2026 season, which is expected to further elevate the profile of Bengal’s domestic T20 ecosystem through a combination of experienced professionals and emerging grassroots talent.
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