WPL 2026 Auction Highlights: Big Bidding, Players & Top Buys

The Women’s Premier League 2026 auction happened on November 27, 2025, in New Delhi. It was the first mega auction in WPL history. 

All five teams rebuilt their squads with big buys, shocking moments, and exciting bidding wars. Here’s everything that happened at the auction.

Top 10 WPL 2026 Auction Highlights

• Most expensive player: Deepti Sharma went to UP Warriorz for ₹3.20 crore
• Most expensive overseas player: Amelia Kerr joined the Mumbai Indians for ₹3.00 crore
• Most expensive uncapped player: Anushka Sharma was picked by Gujarat Giants for ₹45 lakh
• First buy of the auction: Sophie Devine became the first player to get a new contract, bought by Gujarat Giants for ₹2.00 crore
• Biggest shock: Alyssa Healy, the Australian captain and wicketkeeper, went unsold
• Biggest bidding war: Deepti Sharma’s auction saw intense competition between Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz, with UP using RTM at ₹3.20 crore
• Team that spent the most: Three teams (Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru) exhausted their full purse of ₹15 crore
• Teams with remaining purse: Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz had ₹15 lakh left each
• Record broken: Deepti Sharma became the joint second-most expensive player in WPL history
• Unexpected comeback: Veteran pacer Shikha Pandey, who last played for India in 2023, was signed by UP Warriorz for ₹2.40 crore

WPL 2026 Top Buys (Most Expensive Players)

The bidding was intense right from the start. Teams went all out for proven match-winners and World Cup stars. Indian players from the recently won ODI World Cup were in huge demand.

Top 10 Most Expensive Players in WPL 2026 Auction

Player	Team	Role	Price	Country
Deepti Sharma	UP Warriorz	All-rounder	₹3.20 Crore	India
Amelia Kerr	Mumbai Indians	All-rounder	₹3.00 Crore	New Zealand
Shikha Pandey	UP Warriorz	All-rounder	₹2.40 Crore	India
Sophie Devine	Gujarat Giants	All-rounder	₹2.00 Crore	New Zealand
Meg Lanning	UP Warriorz	Batter	₹1.90 Crore	Australia
Chinelle Henry	Delhi Capitals	All-rounder	₹1.30 Crore	West Indies
Shree Charani	Delhi Capitals	All-rounder	₹1.30 Crore	India
Phoebe Litchfield	UP Warriorz	Batter	₹1.20 Crore	Australia
Laura Wolvaardt	Delhi Capitals	Batter	₹1.10 Crore	South Africa
Asha Sobhana	UP Warriorz	Bowler	₹1.10 Crore	India

Deepti Sharma set a new auction record and became the joint second-most expensive WPL player ever. 

Smriti Mandhana still holds the overall record with ₹3.50 crore from 2023.

Team-wise WPL 2026 Auction Highlights

This section shows what each team bought and how they spent their money.

Delhi Capitals WPL 2026 Squad

Delhi Capitals focused on building a balanced squad with strong overseas picks and young Indian talent. They used their full purse wisely, picking up South African captain Laura Wolvaardt and West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry.

• Purse spent: ₹15.00 crore
• Purse remaining: ₹0.00
• Best value pick: Sneh Rana at ₹50 lakh
• Biggest pick: Laura Wolvaardt at ₹1.10 crore

Player	Role	Price (₹)	Type
Shafali Verma	Batter	2.20 crore	Indian (Retained)
Annabel Sutherland	All-rounder	2.20 crore	Overseas (Retained)
Jemimah Rodrigues	Batter	2.20 crore	Indian (Retained)
Marizanne Kapp	All-rounder	2.20 crore	Overseas (Retained)
Shree Charani	All-rounder	1.30 crore	Indian
Chinelle Henry	All-rounder	1.30 crore	Overseas
Laura Wolvaardt	Batter	1.10 crore	Overseas
Niki Prasad	All-rounder	50 lakh	Indian (Retained)
Sneh Rana	All-rounder	50 lakh	Indian
Minnu Mani	All-rounder	40 lakh	Indian
Taniya Bhatia	Wicketkeeper	30 lakh	Indian
Lizelle Lee	Batter	30 lakh	Overseas
Nandani Sharma	Bowler	20 lakh	Indian
Deeya Yadav	Batter	10 lakh	Indian
Lucy Hamilton	All-rounder	10 lakh	Overseas
Madiwala Mamatha	Batter	10 lakh	Indian

Gujarat Giants WPL 2026 Squad

Gujarat Giants went for experience and power-hitting. They bought the most players (18) focused on building depth in their squad with quality all-rounders.

• Purse spent: ₹14.85 crore
• Purse remaining: ₹0.15 crore
• Best value pick: Renuka Singh at ₹60 lakh
• Biggest pick: Sophie Devine at ₹2.00 crore

Player	Role	Price (₹)	Type
Ashleigh Gardner	All-rounder	3.50 crore	Overseas (Retained)
Beth Mooney	Batter	2.50 crore	Overseas (Retained)
Sophie Devine	All-rounder	2.00 crore	Overseas
Georgia Wareham	All-rounder	1.00 crore	Overseas
Bharti Fulmali	Batter	70 lakh	Indian
Kashvee Gautam	All-rounder	65 lakh	Indian
Renuka Singh	Bowler	60 lakh	Indian
Yastika Bhatia	Wicketkeeper	50 lakh	Indian
Kim Garth	All-rounder	50 lakh	Overseas
Danni Wyatt-Hodge	Batter	50 lakh	Overseas
Anushka Sharma	All-rounder	45 lakh	Indian
Tanuja Kanwar	All-rounder	45 lakh	Indian
Rajeshwari Gayakwad	Bowler	40 lakh	Indian
Kanika Ahuja	All-rounder	30 lakh	Indian
Titas Sadhu	Bowler	30 lakh	Indian
Ayushi Soni	All-rounder	30 lakh	Indian
Happy Kumari	Bowler	10 lakh	Indian
Shivani Singh	Batter	10 lakh	Indian

Mumbai Indians WPL 2026 Squad

The defending champions kept their core intact. They made a strong statement by buying back Amelia Kerr for ₹3.00 crore, making her the most expensive overseas player of the auction.

• Purse spent: ₹15.00 crore
• Purse remaining: ₹0.00
• Best value pick: Shabnim Ismail at ₹60 lakh
• Biggest pick: Amelia Kerr at ₹3.00 crore

Player	Role	Price (₹)	Type
Nat Sciver-Brunt	All-rounder	3.50 crore	Overseas (Retained)
Amelia Kerr	All-rounder	3.00 crore	Overseas
Harmanpreet Kaur	All-rounder	2.50 crore	Indian (Retained)
Hayley Matthews	All-rounder	1.75 crore	Overseas (Retained)
Amanjot Kaur	All-rounder	1.00 crore	Indian (Retained)
Sajeevan Sajana	All-rounder	75 lakh	Indian
Shabnim Ismail	Bowler	60 lakh	Overseas
Gunalan Kamalini	Batter	50 lakh	Indian (Retained)
Saika Ishaque	Bowler	30 lakh	Indian
Nicola Carey	All-rounder	30 lakh	Overseas
Triveni Vasistha	All-rounder	20 lakh	Indian
Sanskriti Gupta	All-rounder	20 lakh	Indian
Nalla Reddy	All-rounder	10 lakh	Indian
Milly Illingworth	Bowler	10 lakh	Overseas
Poonam Khemnar	All-rounder	10 lakh	Indian
Rahila Firdous	Batter	10 lakh	Indian

Royal Challengers Bengaluru WPL 2026 Squad

RCB built their team around captain Smriti Mandhana. They added strong overseas players like Grace Harris and Lauren Bell to strengthen their bowling attack.

• Purse spent: ₹15.00 crore
• Purse remaining: ₹0.00
• Best value pick: Grace Harris at ₹75 lakh
• Biggest pick: Lauren Bell at ₹90 lakh

Player	Role	Price (₹)	Type
Smriti Mandhana	Batter	3.50 crore	Indian (Retained)
Richa Ghosh	Wicketkeeper	2.75 crore	Indian (Retained)
Ellyse Perry	All-rounder	2.00 crore	Overseas (Retained)
Lauren Bell	Bowler	90 lakh	Overseas
Pooja Vastrakar	All-rounder	85 lakh	Indian
Arundhati Reddy	All-rounder	75 lakh	Indian
Grace Harris	All-rounder	75 lakh	Overseas
Radha Yadav	All-rounder	65 lakh	Indian
Nadine de Klerk	All-rounder	65 lakh	Overseas
Shreyanka Patil	All-rounder	60 lakh	Indian (Retained)
Georgia Voll	Batter	60 lakh	Overseas
Dayalan Hemalatha	All-rounder	30 lakh	Indian
Linsey Smith	Bowler	30 lakh	Overseas
Prema Rawat	All-rounder	20 lakh	Indian
Gautami Naik	All-rounder	10 lakh	Indian
Kumar Prathyoosha	Batter	10 lakh	Indian

UP Warriorz WPL 2026 Squad

UP Warriorz came into the auction with the biggest purse and only one retained player. They rebuilt their entire squad, using their RTM options smartly to bring back key players like Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone.

• Purse spent: ₹14.85 crore
• Purse remaining: ₹0.15 crore
• Best value pick: Sophie Ecclestone at ₹85 lakh
• Biggest pick: Deepti Sharma at ₹3.20 crore

Player	Role	Price (₹)	Type
Deepti Sharma	All-rounder	3.20 crore	Indian
Shikha Pandey	All-rounder	2.40 crore	Indian
Meg Lanning	Batter	1.90 crore	Overseas
Phoebe Litchfield	Batter	1.20 crore	Overseas
Asha Sobhana	Bowler	1.10 crore	Indian
Sophie Ecclestone	Bowler	85 lakh	Overseas
Deandra Dottin	All-rounder	80 lakh	Overseas
Kiran Navgire	Batter	60 lakh	Indian
Kranti Gaud	Bowler	50 lakh	Indian
Pratika Rawal	All-rounder	50 lakh	Indian
Shweta Sehrawat	Batter	50 lakh	Indian (Retained)
Harleen Deol	All-rounder	50 lakh	Indian
Chloe Tryon	All-rounder	30 lakh	Overseas
Shipra Giri	Batter	10 lakh	Indian
Simran Shaikh	Batter	10 lakh	Indian
Gongadi Trisha	All-rounder	10 lakh	Indian
Suman L Meena	All-rounder	10 lakh	Indian
Tara Norris	All-rounder	10 lakh	Overseas

All-rounders were the most wanted players, with teams willing to pay premium prices for players who can bat, bowl, and contribute in both departments.

WPL Auction Team-wise Spending & Remaining Purse

The auction saw teams spending big on proven performers. Three teams used their entire budget, while two teams saved small amounts. 

Team	Total Purse (₹ Cr)	Amount Spent (₹ Cr)	Remaining Purse (₹ Cr)	Players Bought
Delhi Capitals	15.00	15.00	0.00	16
Gujarat Giants	15.00	14.85	0.15	18
Mumbai Indians	15.00	15.00	0.00	16
Royal Challengers Bengaluru	15.00	15.00	0.00	16
UP Warriorz	15.00	14.85	0.15	18

Analysis:

• Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and RCB spent their entire purse building 16-player squads
• Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz built the biggest squads with 18 players each, keeping ₹15 lakh in reserve
• UP Warriorz spent the most on individual players, picking up three of the top five most expensive buys
• All teams focused heavily on all-rounders, with more than 60% of the top buys being players who can contribute with both bat and ball

Best Value Picks of the WPL 2026 Auction

• Renuka Singh (Gujarat Giants – ₹60 lakh): One of India’s best pace bowlers, she was a steal at this price. She has been consistently performing well in international cricket and provides quality new-ball bowling.
• Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz – ₹85 lakh): The world’s number one ranked ODI bowler went for less than a crore. She’s a match-winner who can control the middle overs and take wickets regularly.
• Shabnim Ismail (Mumbai Indians – ₹60 lakh): The South African pace legend brings experience and wicket-taking ability. At ₹60 lakh, this is excellent value for someone who can bowl at crucial stages.
• Grace Harris (RCB – ₹75 lakh): A powerful striker of the ball who can change games quickly. Her ability to hit big sixes makes her a dangerous player at a reasonable price.
• Sajeevan Sajana (Mumbai Indians – ₹75 lakh): The young Indian all-rounder showed promise last season and was picked up at a smart price by the champions.
• Sneh Rana (Delhi Capitals – ₹50 lakh): An experienced Indian all-rounder who brings both batting depth and spin bowling options. Great backup player at this price.

Uncapped Indian Talents Who Stood Out

Several uncapped Indian players impressed franchises with their domestic performances and potential. Teams invested in young talent, hoping to develop future stars.

Player	Age	Role	Bought By	Price (₹)
Anushka Sharma	21	All-rounder	Gujarat Giants	45 lakh
Kashvee Gautam	20	All-rounder	Gujarat Giants	65 lakh
Bharti Fulmali	22	Batter	Gujarat Giants	70 lakh
Sanskriti Gupta	19	All-rounder	Mumbai Indians	20 lakh
Triveni Vasistha	20	All-rounder	Mumbai Indians	20 lakh

Anushka Sharma became the costliest uncapped player after Gujarat Giants acquired her for ₹45 lakh.

These young players have shown promise in domestic tournaments and are seen as long-term investments by their franchises.

Overseas Stars in the WPL 2026 Auction

International players were in high demand, with all-rounders commanding the highest prices. Teams wanted players who could provide balance and flexibility to their playing eleven.

Key Overseas Picks

• Amelia Kerr (Mumbai Indians – ₹3.00 crore): The New Zealand all-rounder became the most expensive overseas player. She can bat anywhere in the order and provides quality leg-spin bowling.
• Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants – ₹2.00 crore): The experienced Kiwi captain brings leadership, power-hitting, and medium-pace bowling. She was the first player to be bought in the auction.
• Meg Lanning (UP Warriorz – ₹1.90 crore): The legendary Australian captain switched from Delhi Capitals to UP Warriorz. Her batting class and leadership experience are invaluable.
• Phoebe Litchfield (UP Warriorz – ₹1.20 crore): The young Australian left-hander is seen as a future star. Her ability to play spin well makes her valuable for Indian conditions.
• Laura Wolvaardt (Delhi Capitals – ₹1.10 crore): The South African captain provides consistency at the top of the order. She’s a technically sound batter who can anchor innings.
• Georgia Wareham (Gujarat Giants – ₹1.00 crore): The Australian leg-spinner returned to her original franchise after two years with RCB.
• Annabel Sutherland (Delhi Capitals – ₹2.20 crore – Retained): The Australian all-rounder continued with Delhi Capitals, providing batting depth and pace bowling options.

Auction Trends & Patterns in WPL 2026

• All-rounders were in huge demand: Seven of the top ten buys were all-rounders. Teams wanted players who could contribute in multiple ways.
• Indian talent dominated the top prices: Four of the top five most expensive players were Indian, showing the value placed on domestic performers.
• World Cup winners got premium prices: Players who performed in India’s ODI World Cup victory in November 2025 saw their value increase significantly
• Specialist wicketkeepers faced challenges: Pure wicketkeepers without strong batting records found it tough to get big contracts. Teams preferred batters who can keep wickets as a secondary skill
• Pace bowling was highly valued: Fast bowlers who can bowl in the powerplay and death overs commanded good prices across the auction.
• Experience over youth for overseas slots: With only six overseas spots allowed per squad, teams preferred proven international performers over young talents
• RTM cards were used strategically: Teams with RTM options waited patiently and used them effectively to buy back their key players

Expert Analysis – Which Team Won the Auction?

UP Warriorz appears to have had the most successful auction. They came in with the largest purse and maximum flexibility after retaining only one player. 

They secured three of the top five most expensive players: Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, and Meg Lanning. The combination of Lanning’s leadership, Deepti’s all-round skills, and quality overseas bowlers like Sophie Ecclestone makes them a balanced unit.

Mumbai Indians also had a smart auction. As defending champions, they kept their winning core intact and added Amelia Kerr, who can bat in the middle order and provide quality spin. Their squad has depth in all departments.

Delhi Capitals made strategic buys despite having the smallest purse. They focused on quality over quantity, adding Laura Wolvaardt for stability at the top and Shree Charani for all-round skills.

Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru built well-rounded squads but may need their big names to perform consistently. RCB’s success will depend heavily on Smriti Mandhana’s form, while Gujarat Giants have invested in depth with 18 players.

The team that balances their overseas slots well and gets consistent performances from their Indian core will likely succeed in WPL 2026.

Related Read:

• WPL Retentions 2026: Complete List
• WPL 2026 Mega Auction Round 3 Highlights

Conclusion: Smriti Mandhana Remains Most Expensive Player In WPL 

Deepti Sharma became the joint second-most expensive player in WPL history, while Alyssa Healy’s unsold status shocked everyone. 

Teams spent smart, focusing on all-rounders who can contribute in multiple ways. The auction showed that WPL has grown significantly in just three years. 

The tournament will begin on January 9, 2026, in Navi Mumbai, and fans can expect high-quality cricket from all five teams. The auction has set the stage for an exciting season ahead.

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