Shabnim Ismail was acquired by the UP Warriorz for INR 1 crore at the inaugural WPL auction. Listed at the base price of INR 40 lakh, the Delhi Capitals and the Warriorz engaged in a bidding war before the hammer came down in the Warriorz' favour. Shabnim was the backbone of the South African bowling attack for years before she announced her international retirement in May 2023, bringing the curtains down on a glorious 16-year career. Nicknamed the 'Demon', Shabnim is one of the fastest bowlers in the women's circuit. Her accuracy stands out. Fast, aggressive and fearsome, Shabnim has one of the most lethal bouncers in world cricket. She is South Africa's leading wicket-taker in ODIs (191 wickets) and T20Is (123 wickets). She played for UPW in the first season and was bought by Mumbai Indians at the 2024 TATA WPL Auction for INR 1.2 Crore, MI's costliest buy in that auction. The next time you see stumps cartwheeling, batters jumping and helmets pinging, you know that Shabnim Ismail is lighting up the WPL.