Did the 2026 WPL Auction Deliver Big Paydays for World Cup Stars?
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Synopsis
The 2026 WPL Auction was a landmark event, showcasing the incredible talent of women's cricket with hefty bids for top players. As franchises competed fiercely, World Cup stars like Deepti Sharma and N Sree Charani secured significant paydays. Discover how the auction unfolded and the strategic moves made by various teams to strengthen their squads.
Key Takeaways
- Deepti Sharma became the joint second-most expensive player in WPL history.
- N Sree Charani was signed by DC for INR 1.3 crore.
- Significant investments were made across teams, enhancing competition.
- Women’s cricket continues to gain recognition and financial support.
- The auction highlighted the strategic planning of franchises for upcoming seasons.
New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) The inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) mega auction exceeded expectations as renowned World Cup-winning Indian athletes attracted substantial bids during a pleasant evening in the nation's capital on Thursday.
India’s top off-spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma achieved the status of the joint second-most expensive player in WPL history when UP Warriorz re-signed her for INR 3.2 crore using the Right to Match (RTM) option.
Deepti, named Player of the Tournament in the recent Women’s ODI World Cup, could have been acquired by Delhi Capitals for INR 50 lakh, but ultimately, UPW secured her, making her the highest-priced player in the auction.
DC also made significant investments in N Sree Charani, who ranked as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the World Cup, for INR 1.3 crore, along with adding Sneh Rana for INR 50 lakh. Additionally, South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt was another highlight signing, joining DC for INR 1.1 crore.
Meanwhile, UP Warriorz reacquired pacer Kranti Gaud at her base price of INR 50 lakh and secured Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal for the same price. They also made a significant statement by signing veteran seamer Shikha Pandey for INR 2.4 crore and young Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield for INR 1.2 crore.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru fortified their domestic lineup by acquiring Radha Yadav for INR 65 lakh and Arundhati Reddy for INR 75 lakh. The Gujarat Giants secured Renuka Singh for INR 60 lakh and New Zealand's Sophie Devine for INR 2 crore, marking her as the fourth player to surpass the two-crore threshold. GG also signed Indian spinner Tanuja Kanwar and Australian leg spinner Georgia Wareham to enhance their bowling lineup.
Mumbai Indians re-signed New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr for INR 3 crore, maintaining their overseas stable. They also brought back former players Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, S Sajana, and Saika Ishaque, in addition to adding several newcomers.
Australia's captain Alyssa Healy went unsold, while Sophie Devine, returning after missing the 2025 season, was picked up by GG for INR 2 crore following a bidding war with RCB and DC. UPW acquired former DC captain Meg Lanning for INR 1.9 crore, possibly positioning her as their new leader. Laura Wolvaardt's acquisition by DC for INR 1.1 crore ruled out a potential Mandhana-Wolvaardt opening partnership at RCB.
UPW effectively utilized multiple RTM options, reacquiring Kiran Navgire and Kranti Gaud, while also adding Phoebe Litchfield (INR 1.2 crore) and Shikha Pandey (INR 2.4 crore). RCB enhanced their spin and all-rounder lineup with Radha Yadav (INR 65 lakh), Arundhati Reddy (INR 75 lakh), Nadine de Klerk (INR 65 lakh), and England pacer Lauren Bell (INR 90 lakh).
GG exercised their RTM to bring back Kashvee Gautam for INR 65 lakh and added Georgia Wareham for INR 1 crore, along with Anushka Sharma, Tanuja Kanwar, Yastika Bhatia, and England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
MI included Nicola Carey and uncapped pacer Milly Illingworth, while DC acquired Mamatha Madiwala, Lucy Hamilton, and Indian all-rounder Minnu Mani. UPW concluded their roster with Tara Norris, Chloe Tryon, Simran Shaikh, and U19 World Cup champion G Trisha. The final accelerated round wrapped up with the Gujarat Giants signing Delhi batter Ayushi Soni for INR 30 lakh, marking the end of the WPL 2026 mega auction.
WPL 2026 Full Squads
Delhi Capitals: Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Shree Charani, Chinelle Henry, Laura Wolvaardt, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Taniya Bhatia, Lizelle Lee, Deeya Yadav, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandani Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani
Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Renuka Singh, Yastika Bhatia, Anushka Sharma, Tanuja Kanwar, Kanika Ahuja, Titas Sadhu, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Shivani Singh, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni
Mumbai Indians: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, Gunalan Kullkarni, Nicola Carey, Sanskriti Gupta, Rahil Firdous, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Bell, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, Dayalan Hemalatha
UP Warriorz: Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Asha Sobhana, Sophie Ecclestone, Deandra Dottin, Kiran Navgire, Kranti Gaud, Shweta Sehrawat, Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, Simran Shaikh, G Trisha, Pratika Rawal
Point of View
I observe that the 2026 WPL Auction marks a significant step forward for women's sports, highlighting the increasing recognition and investment in female athletes. The competitive bids for players reflect not only their talents but also a growing commitment from franchises to elevate women's cricket on a global stage. This evolution is essential for inspiring the next generation of female athletes.
NationPress
27/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the highest bid in the 2026 WPL auction?
The highest bid was for Deepti Sharma, who was reclaimed by UP Warriorz for INR 3.2 crore.
Which players were notable signings in the auction?
Notable signings included Deepti Sharma, N Sree Charani, Laura Wolvaardt, and Shikha Pandey.
How did the auction impact women's cricket?
The auction showcased the talent and potential of female cricketers, leading to increased visibility and investment in women's sports.
Which teams made significant acquisitions?
Teams like Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz made strategic moves to enhance their rosters.
What does the future hold for women's cricket post-auction?
The auction’s investments indicate a promising future for women's cricket, with increased support and visibility for female athletes.
