New Delhi, November 27, 2025 – The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Mega Auction concluded today in New Delhi after a day of intense bidding, strategic moves, and major surprises. A total of 67 players were sold, with franchises spending a cumulative ₹40.8 crore to reshape their squads for the upcoming season.
💰 The Biggest Buys of the Day
All-rounders dominated the top-priced acquisitions, with Indian star Deepti Sharma emerging as the costliest player of the auction.
| Rank | Player | Team | Price (₹) | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Deepti Sharma (IND) | UP Warriorz | 3.2 Crore | Re-acquired via Right-to-Match (RTM) card, making her the second-highest paid Indian in WPL history. |
| 2. | Amelia Kerr (NZ) | Mumbai Indians | 3.0 Crore | Top overseas purchase, returns to MI after a fierce bidding war. |
| 3. | Shikha Pandey (IND) | UP Warriorz | 2.4 Crore | Huge bidding war led to a massive payout for the experienced Indian pacer. |
| 4. | Sophie Devine (NZ) | Gujarat Giants | 2.0 Crore | Secured by GG after a battle with her former team (RCB) and DC. |
| 5. | Meg Lanning (AUS) | UP Warriorz | 1.9 Crore | Former Delhi Capitals captain moves to UPW, adding significant leadership experience. |
📈 Franchise Focus: UP Warriorz Goes Big
UP Warriorz were the most aggressive spenders, securing three of the top five most expensive players. Their strategic use of the Right to Match (RTM) card was key:
- They re-acquired star all-rounder Deepti Sharma for ₹3.2 crore.
- They also used RTM to retain their ace spinner Sophie Ecclestone for a surprisingly low ₹85 lakh, which many analysts dubbed a ‘steal deal’.
- The addition of veteran captain Meg Lanning (₹1.9 Cr) and star Indian pacer Shikha Pandey (₹2.4 Cr) transformed their squad composition.
Mumbai Indians made a crucial move by bringing back all-rounder Amelia Kerr for ₹3 crore, ensuring their middle-order and spin department remains world-class.
Delhi Capitals focused on reinforcing their overseas power, picking up West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry (₹1.3 Cr) and South African batswoman Laura Wolvaardt (₹1.1 Cr).
💔 Unsold Shocks and Steal Deals
The Big Shock: Alyssa Healy Goes Unsold
The biggest surprise of the auction came in the marquee set as Australian captain and star wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy found no takers, remaining unsold at the end of the process. Her absence from the upcoming season will be a major talking point.
Noteworthy Steal Deals
Several prominent players were picked up for much less than expected, offering excellent value to their franchises:
- Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz) – ₹85 lakh (RTM)
- Renuka Singh (Gujarat Giants) – ₹60 lakh
- Lizelle Lee (Delhi Capitals) – ₹30 lakh
📊 Complete Squads and Season Outlook
All five franchises successfully completed their squads, balancing experience with promising young talent. The aggressive spending by UP Warriorz signals a strong intent to challenge the dominant teams. The new-look squads set the stage for a highly competitive WPL 2026 season, which is scheduled to begin in the new year.
