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Asha Sobhana: Kerala’s First WPL Crorepati Player

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Meet Asha Sobhana, the first crorepati from Kerala at WPL auction

Asha Sobhana: Kerala’s First WPL Crorepati Player

In a moment that sent ripples through India’s cricketing heartlands, Asha Sobhana etched her name into history at the WPL 2026 auction. The 34-year-old off-spinner from Kerala was snapped up by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a remarkable ₹1.1 crore, making her the first player from the state to become a “crorepati” in the Women’s Premier League. Her journey—from local grounds in Kollam to the high-stakes auction room—is a powerful testament to perseverance, late-blooming talent, and the growing inclusivity of Indian women’s cricket .

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How Asha Sobhana Was Bought in WPL Auction

The bidding for Asha Sobhana began modestly. With a base price of just ₹30 lakh, she wasn’t initially in the spotlight amid marquee names like Deepti Sharma or Sophie Devine. But things changed fast. Delhi Capitals opened the bidding, quickly followed by UP Warriorz, and the two franchises pushed the price up to ₹55 lakh in a series of rapid-fire exchanges .

Then, in a stunning move, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) entered the fray—and didn’t stop until they secured her for ₹1.1 crore. This wasn’t just a purchase; it was a statement. RCB, known for investing in under-the-radar talent with high ceiling potential, saw in Sobhana a reliable, experienced spinner who could control the middle overs—a critical gap in their previous WPL campaigns .

Asha Sobhana WPL: A Dream Realized

For Asha Sobhana, this moment was decades in the making. Born in Kollam, Kerala, she juggled cricket with a full-time job as a clerk in the Southern Railway for over 15 years—a reality for many domestic women cricketers in India. She made her international debut only in 2024, at the age of 32, in a T20I against Bangladesh . Just months later, she was part of India’s historic gold medal-winning squad at the 2024 Asian Games in Hangzhou .

Now, with her Asha Sobhana WPL deal, she’s not just a player—she’s a symbol. She proves that age is just a number and that consistent performance at the domestic level can still open the grandest doors in the game.

Her Cricket Journey: From Kerala to National Team

Sobhana’s rise has been anything but conventional:

  • 2004: Made her senior debut for Kerala in the domestic circuit.
  • 2008–2023: Consistently among the top wicket-takers in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy and Inter-State T20 tournaments.
  • 2024: Earned her first India cap at 32; played in the T20 World Cup later that year.
  • 2025: Named in India’s squad for multiple bilateral series, showcasing remarkable control with her off-spin.

Despite Kerala not being a traditional cricket powerhouse like Mumbai or Delhi, Sobhana’s discipline and accuracy kept her in national contention. Her story is a beacon for players from non-metro regions across India.

Why RCB Invested ₹1.1 Crore in Her

RCB’s decision wasn’t sentimental—it was strategic. In the WPL, where spinners often dictate the pace of the game, having a dependable Indian off-spinner who understands local conditions is invaluable. Sobhana’s economy rate in domestic T20s hovers around 6.2, and she excels in high-pressure situations .

With Smriti Mandhana leading the charge, RCB needed role players who can execute plans flawlessly. Sobhana fits that mold perfectly. Plus, her experience adds maturity to a relatively young bowling unit—a factor that could prove decisive in close matches during the condensed WPL 2026 season (January 9–February 5) .

Significance for Kerala and Domestic Cricket

Asha Sobhana’s breakthrough is monumental for Kerala cricket. Until now, the state had produced talented male players like Sanju Samson and S Sreesanth, but never a female cricketer of national—and now franchise—prominence. Her success is already inspiring a new wave of girls in Kollam, Trivandrum, and Kochi to pick up the ball .

More broadly, her story validates the importance of India’s domestic cricket structure. It shows that the pathway from state associations to the WPL—and even the national team—is alive and well, especially for players who persist despite limited resources.

What Her Signing Means for WPL 2026

For fans and fantasy managers, Sobhana represents a potential hidden gem. While she may not be a headline-grabbing batter, her role as a controlling spinner in RCB’s middle overs could earn consistent fantasy points. Keep an eye on her in our [INTERNAL_LINK:Fantasy Cricket] picks for the season.

Conclusion

The story of Asha Sobhana WPL success is more than a sports headline—it’s a cultural milestone. At 34, she’s shattered glass ceilings for Kerala, redefined age limits in elite cricket, and given hope to countless unsung domestic warriors. As the WPL 2026 season begins on January 9, all eyes will be on her debut in the red-and-gold jersey, not just to see how she performs, but to witness the culmination of a dream two decades in the making.

Sources

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