New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) The esteemed Indian pacer Shikha Pandey emerged as one of the top three purchases at the 2026 WPL mega auction, while Yastika Bhatia and Pratika Rawal secured teams despite facing injury challenges on Thursday. The UP Warriorz invested INR 2.4 crore to acquire Shikha, contributing to the total sale of 67 players – including 23 international players – for an impressive INR 40.8 crore.

The accelerated bidding kicked off with Deandra Dottin joining UPW for INR 80 lakh after a brief contest with RCB. Kashvee Gautam was successfully reclaimed by GG via RTM for INR 65 lakh, successfully countering offers from MI and UPW.

Shikha, the seasoned Indian fast bowler, ignited a fierce bidding rivalry between RCB and UPW, ultimately surpassing INR 2 crore. UPW triumphed over RCB to secure her services for INR 2.4 crore.

The ODI World Cup champion and seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddy attracted bids from DC, RCB, and GG before settling with Bengaluru for INR 75 lakh. At RCB, Arundhati reunites with close friends Smriti Mandhana and Radha Yadav.

Meanwhile, MI successfully retrieved Sajana Sajeevan after a bidding battle with UP Warriorz for INR 75 lakh. Indian all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, currently rehabilitating from a shoulder injury that kept her out of WPL 2025, still attracted bids from RCB and UPW before the latter secured her for INR 85 lakh.

Uncapped wicketkeeper Rahila Firdous was picked up by MI for INR 10 lakh, while Indian all-rounder Kanika Ahuja was acquired by GG for INR 30 lakh. Left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwar returned to GG for INR 45 lakh after avoiding DC. Australian leg-spinner Georgia Wareham was acquired by GG for INR 1 crore, narrowly defeating RCB.

Uncapped Indian all-rounder Anushka Sharma was signed by GG for INR 45 lakh, drawing a wry smile from the RCB management. Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey was also picked by MI for INR 30 lakh. Following this, all five teams were asked to nominate 10 players each as the auction transitioned into the second accelerated phase after a short intermission.

The second phase witnessed S Meghana, Amy Jones, and Darcie Brown go unsold. However, Grace Harris found a team, with RCB ultimately acquiring her for INR 75 lakh, overcoming competition from her previous team, UPW.

Wicketkeeper Shipra Giri attracted interest from UPW, who signed her for INR 10 lakh, while Mamatha Madiwala was added to DC's roster at the same price. Pacer Happy Kumari was signed by GG at her base price of INR 10 lakh, while Australia’s Kim Garth joined the same team for INR 50 lakh.

A competitive bidding ensued between UPW and GG for Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, with GG ultimately acquiring her for INR 50 lakh. UPW also secured hard-hitting batter Simran Shaikh for INR 10 lakh, while MI took Poonam Khemnar for the same amount, and wicketkeeper Shivani Singh was roped in by GG for the same price.

USA pacer Tara Norris, who took five wickets in WPL 2023, was signed by UPW for INR 10 lakh, while the franchise also acquired South Africa all-rounder Chole Tryon for INR 30 lakh. Uncapped Australia pacer Lucy Hamilton was picked by DC for INR 10 lakh, while all-rounder Triveni Vasistha was acquired by MI for INR 20 lakh, and Suman Meena was signed by UPW for INR 10 lakh.

RCB acquired off-spin all-rounder Gautami Naik for INR 10 lakh, while MI added seam-bowling all-rounder Nalla Reddy for the same amount. In the closing accelerated round, Indian left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque was picked by MI for INR 30 lakh, while UPW signed two-time U19 World Cup champion G Trisha for INR 10 lakh.

The uncapped wicketkeeper Pratyusha Kumar was acquired by RCB for INR 10 lakh, while MI added uncapped Australian bowler Milly Illingworth at the same price. UPW secured Pratika Rawal for INR 50 lakh, despite ongoing fitness concerns due to ankle injury recovery. GG acquired England batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge for INR 50 lakh and also signed India spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad at her base price of INR 40 lakh.

DC welcomed India all-rounder Minnu Mani for INR 40 lakh, while RCB strengthened their middle order with former GG batter Dayalan Hemalatha for INR 30 lakh. GG’s acquisition of Delhi batter Ayushi Soni for INR 30 lakh marked the conclusion of the WPL 2026 mega auction.