The first mega auction of the Women’s Premier League unfolded with dramatic bidding wars and unexpected twists at JW Marriott Hotel in New Delhi on November 27, 2025. Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma emerged as the costliest player of the auction, signaling a new era for women’s cricket in India.
TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYERS – WPL AUCTION 2026
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Role | Team | Price (Rs Crore) | RTM Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deepti Sharma | India | All-rounder | UP Warriorz | 3.20 | Yes |
| 2 | Amelia Kerr | New Zealand | All-rounder | Mumbai Indians | 3.00 | No |
| 3 | Shikha Pandey | India | All-rounder | UP Warriorz | 2.40 | No |
| 4 | Sophie Devine | New Zealand | All-rounder | Gujarat Giants | 2.00 | No |
| 5 | Meg Lanning | Australia | Batter | UP Warriorz | 1.90 | No |
| 6 | Chinelle Henry | West Indies | All-rounder | Delhi Capitals | 1.30 | No |
| 7 | Shree Charani | India | Batter | Delhi Capitals | 1.30 | No |
| 8 | Phoebe Litchfield | Australia | Batter | UP Warriorz | 1.20 | No |
| 9 | Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | Batter | Delhi Capitals | 1.10 | No |
| 10 | Asha Sobhana | India | Bowler | UP Warriorz | 1.10 | No |
Deepti Sharma Commands Record-Breaking Rs 3.2 Crore Bid
The auction room buzzed with anticipation as auctioneer Mallika Sagar called out Deepti Sharma’s name. UP Warriorz wasted no time, exercising their Right to Match card to secure the World Cup-winning all-rounder for Rs 3.20 crore. This monumental bid places her as the joint second-most expensive player in WPL history, alongside Ashleigh Gardner and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Deepti’s stellar performance as Player of the Tournament at the Women’s World Cup 2025 clearly influenced the bidding frenzy. The Uttar Pradesh-based franchise showed unwavering commitment to retaining their star performer, who brings invaluable all-round capabilities to any squad.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana remains the highest-paid player in WPL history at Rs 3.40 crore from the inaugural 2023 auction, but Deepti’s price tag demonstrates the rising value of match-winning all-rounders in the format.
Shikha Pandey’s Stunning Comeback at Rs 2.4 Crore
In one of the auction’s biggest surprises, veteran Indian all-rounder Shikha Pandey commanded Rs 2.40 crore from UP Warriorz. The 35-year-old pacer has been away from international cricket since 2023, making this the auction’s most unexpected big-money move.
“I never imagined this moment would come,” sources close to the franchise quoted team management as saying during the bidding. “Shikha’s experience and leadership qualities are invaluable for building a championship-winning unit.”
The investment reflects confidence in her domestic form and ability to mentor younger players, becoming the third-most expensive player at WPL 2026 auction.
International Stars Light Up Bidding Wars
Amelia Kerr Commands Rs 3 Crore
New Zealand’s dynamic all-rounder Amelia Kerr triggered intense competition between franchises before Mumbai Indians secured her services for Rs 3 crore. The 25-year-old has been instrumental in MI’s title-winning campaigns in 2023 and 2025, making her retention a strategic priority.
Meg Lanning Joins UP Warriorz for Rs 1.9 Crore
Australian legend Meg Lanning switched camps from Delhi Capitals to UP Warriorz for Rs 1.9 crore. Despite stepping away from international cricket, Lanning’s consistent T20 league performances and leadership credentials made her a hot property. Her recent Big Bash League form, including over 300 runs with two centuries, justified the hefty price tag.
Sophie Devine Returns at Rs 2 Crore
New Zealand’s power-hitter Sophie Devine made her comeback to WPL after missing the 2025 season due to personal reasons. Gujarat Giants snapped her up for Rs 2 crore, banking on her explosive batting and seasoned leadership to strengthen their campaign.
TEAM-WISE SQUAD BREAKDOWN
| Team | Total Players | Indian Players | Overseas Players | Total Spend | Key Acquisitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP Warriorz | 18 | 11 | 7 | Highest | Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Meg Lanning |
| Mumbai Indians | 16 | 10 | 6 | High | Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt retained |
| Delhi Capitals | 16 | 10 | 6 | Moderate | Chinelle Henry, Shree Charani, Laura Wolvaardt |
| RCB Women | 16 | 11 | 5 | Moderate | Lauren Bell, Smriti Mandhana retained |
| Gujarat Giants | 18 | 12 | 6 | Rs 4.4 Cr purse | Sophie Devine, Ashleigh Gardner retained |
Alyssa Healy’s Shocking Unsold Status
The auction witnessed its first major shock when Australian wicketkeeper-batter and former captain Alyssa Healy went unsold. Despite a base price of Rs 50 lakh, no franchise raised the paddle for the experienced campaigner. The development stunned cricket experts at Vegas11 News who had predicted fierce bidding for the explosive opener.
Industry insiders suggest franchises prioritized younger talent and specific role requirements over established names, marking a strategic shift in team-building philosophy.
Team-Wise Major Acquisitions and Strategies
UP Warriorz Dominate Auction
UP Warriorz emerged as the most aggressive franchise, spending big to create a star-studded lineup. Apart from Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, and Meg Lanning, they secured:
- Sophie Ecclestone (Rs 85 lakh via RTM)
- Phoebe Litchfield (Rs 1.20 crore)
- Asha Sobhana (Rs 1.10 crore)
- Deandra Dottin (Rs 80 lakh)
- Kranti Gaud (Rs 50 lakh via RTM)
Their 18-player squad reflects a balanced mix of international stars and promising Indian talent, positioning them as serious title contenders.
Delhi Capitals Build Star-Heavy Setup
Delhi Capitals focused on creating a balanced unit with explosive batting and world-class all-rounders:
- Laura Wolvaardt (Rs 1.10 crore)
- Chinelle Henry (Rs 1.30 crore)
- Shree Charani (Rs 1.30 crore)
- Sneh Rana (Rs 50 lakh)
Their retained core of Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, and Marizanne Kapp provides stability as they chase their maiden WPL title after three consecutive runner-up finishes.
Mumbai Indians Secure Core Group
Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians retained their championship-winning nucleus:
- Amelia Kerr (Rs 3 crore)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (Retained Rs 3.5 crore)
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Retained Rs 2.5 crore)
- Hayley Matthews (Retained Rs 1.75 crore)
Their strategy focused on continuity, adding complementary pieces like Shabnim Ismail (Rs 60 lakh) and Sajeevan Sajana (Rs 75 lakh).
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Strengthen Pace Attack
RCB, the 2024 champions, retained their core around captain Smriti Mandhana and added crucial bowling depth:
- Lauren Bell (Rs 90 lakh)
- Radha Yadav (Rs 65 lakh)
- Georgia Voll (Rs 60 lakh)
- Nadine de Klerk (Rs 65 lakh)
Their focus on pace bowling addresses previous season’s weaknesses while maintaining batting firepower.
Gujarat Giants Look for Turnaround
Gujarat Giants exercised their largest purse of Rs 4.4 crore strategically:
- Sophie Devine (Rs 2 crore)
- Kashvee Gautam (Retained Rs 65 lakh)
- Ashleigh Gardner (Retained)
The franchise aims to bounce back from disappointing previous seasons with experienced international additions.
AUCTION STATISTICS AT A GLANCE
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Players in Pool | 277 (194 Indian, 83 Overseas) |
| Players Sold | 67 out of 73 slots |
| Vacant Slots | 6 |
| Costliest Indian | Deepti Sharma (Rs 3.2 Cr) |
| Costliest Overseas | Amelia Kerr (Rs 3 Cr) |
| Highest Base Price | Rs 50 lakh |
| Youngest Player | Anshu Nagar (13 years) |
| Most Aggressive Team | UP Warriorz |
| RTM Cards Used | Multiple by all franchises |
| Biggest Surprise | Alyssa Healy unsold |
Rising Indian Stars and Uncapped Talent
The auction witnessed significant investments in emerging Indian talent, reinforcing WPL’s role as a launchpad for national team aspirants.
Shree Charani became one of the costliest uncapped players at Rs 1.30 crore to Delhi Capitals. Her impressive World Cup campaign with India justified the investment, showcasing the tournament’s growing importance in player valuations covered extensively by Vegas11 News throughout the season.
Simran Shaikh attracted attention despite going for lower amounts in later rounds. The young talent pool demonstrated depth in Indian women’s cricket, with franchises willing to back potential over proven international stars in certain positions.
Pratika Rawal (Rs 50 lakh to UP Warriorz) and Nandani Sharma (Rs 20 lakh to Delhi Capitals) represented smart value picks, offering promise without breaking the bank.
Right to Match Cards Create Strategic Drama
The WPL 2026 auction introduced RTM cards for the first time, adding strategic complexity. Teams used this tool effectively to retain core players while managing salary caps.
UP Warriorz exercised RTM for Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Kranti Gaud, and Kiran Navgire, demonstrating commitment to continuity. The RTM mechanism allowed franchises to maintain team chemistry while exploring new additions, creating a perfect balance between stability and refreshment.
When Delhi Capitals initially bid for Kranti Gaud at base price, UP Warriorz immediately triggered their RTM, keeping the promising Indian pacer in their ranks without escalating costs.
Impact on WPL 2026 Season
The mega auction has reshaped the competitive landscape ahead of the January 2026 season. With Vadodara and Navi Mumbai confirmed as host cities, teams now have clarity on conditions and can plan strategies accordingly.
UP Warriorz’s aggressive approach positions them as championship favorites, assembling a squad with batting depth, bowling variety, and proven match-winners. Their willingness to spend big on both international stars and Indian talent reflects championship ambitions.
Delhi Capitals continue their quest for a maiden title with arguably their strongest-ever squad. Three consecutive runner-up finishes have created hunger for silverware, and their balanced unit addresses previous shortcomings.
Mumbai Indians’ retention strategy banks on championship-winning experience and team chemistry. Their core group knows how to win pressure moments, giving them an edge in knockout scenarios.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru aim to defend their 2024 title with enhanced bowling resources. The addition of quality pace options addresses their Achilles heel from the 2025 season.
Gujarat Giants face the challenge of gelling new overseas stars with retained Indian talent. Sophie Devine’s return and Ashleigh Gardner’s leadership will be crucial in their resurgence bid.
What This Means for Indian Women’s Cricket
The WPL 2026 auction reinforces the tournament’s status as a game-changer for women’s cricket in India and globally. Total spending across five franchises demonstrates corporate India’s growing investment in women’s sports.
Record-breaking bids for Indian players like Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey validate the commercial viability of women’s cricket. These valuations create aspirational benchmarks for young girls across the country, inspiring the next generation of cricketers.
The tournament’s growth trajectory positions it as a peer to other major T20 leagues globally. With valuations now exceeding Pakistan Super League, WPL has firmly established itself as a premier women’s cricket competition.
For Indian cricket administration, the auction success justifies BCCI’s investment in domestic women’s cricket infrastructure. The pipeline of talent emerging through state leagues and age-group tournaments feeds directly into WPL franchises.
Tournament Schedule and Format
WPL 2026 commences on January 7, 2026, with matches scheduled across Vadodara and Navi Mumbai. The league phase will feature each team playing multiple matches before playoffs determine the champion.
All matches will be broadcast live on Sports18 network and streamed on JioCinema, ensuring maximum reach for fans. The tournament’s condensed format maintains intensity while fitting into the international cricket calendar.
Franchises now have approximately six weeks to finalize support staff, conduct pre-season camps, and integrate new players into team cultures. The period allows overseas players to complete existing commitments while preparing for WPL challenges.
Looking Ahead: Legacy and Future
As teams finalize their preparations, the WPL 2026 auction has set new standards for player valuations and franchise strategies. The mega auction format allowed comprehensive squad rebuilding, creating fresh storylines and rivalries.
The tournament continues providing a crucial platform for Indian players to showcase skills alongside international stars. Veterans like Shikha Pandey get opportunities to extend careers, while youngsters like Shree Charani fast-track their development.
For cricket fans following coverage on Vegas11 News and other platforms, WPL 2026 promises the most competitive season yet. With squads finalized and battle lines drawn, January 7 cannot come soon enough for women’s cricket enthusiasts across India and beyond.
The auction’s success reinforces cricket’s universal appeal and the growing recognition that women’s cricket deserves equal investment and attention. As these players prepare to light up stadiums in Vadodara and Navi Mumbai, they carry the dreams of millions and the responsibility of inspiring countless young girls to pick up cricket bats.
The countdown to WPL 2026 has begun, and if the auction excitement is any indication, fans are in for a spectacular tournament showcasing the best of women’s T20 cricket.
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