WPL 2026 Auction: Deepti Sharma Tops the Charts as Teams Build Stronger Cores for a High-Voltage Season

Deepti Sharma becomes the most expensive WPL 2025 buy at ₹3.2 Cr as 67 players are sold. Complete auction analysis, team squads, top buys and unsold.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction delivered one of the most dramatic and strategically intense bidding wars the league has ever seen. Across five teams—Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and UP Warriorz—a total of 67 players were sold, including 23 overseas stars, taking the total spending to ₹40.8 crore.

The highlight of the day was India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who became the most expensive buy of the season with a staggering ₹3.2 crore bid, reaffirming her status as one of the most valuable players in world cricket.


Deepti Sharma Emerges as the Costliest Player

The UP Warriorz stunned the auction room by bidding aggressively for Deepti Sharma, securing her for ₹3.2 crore—the highest figure of the auction. With her exceptional all-round ability, leadership experience, and proven match-winning pedigree, Deepti was on every team’s radar.

Her price tag sets a new benchmark in the WPL, highlighting the rising profile and commercial worth of India’s women cricketers.


🔥 Team-by-Team Breakdown — Who Bought Whom?


🔵 Delhi Capitals — Strong, Balanced, and Zero Funds Left

Delhi Capitals entered the auction with a clear strategy: invest heavily in capped Indian stars and established overseas names. They filled all their slots and ended the day with ₹0 remaining, signaling a fully committed approach.

Top Buys

  • Chinelle Henry – ₹1.3 Cr (Capped)

  • N. Charani – ₹1.3 Cr (Capped)

  • Laura Wolvaardt – ₹1.1 Cr (Capped)

  • Sneh Rana – ₹50 Lac (Capped)

Squad Composition

  • Overseas Players: 6

  • Indian Players: 10

  • Total Players: 16

  • RTM Left: 0

Delhi has built a squad heavy on batting stability and all-round depth, ensuring a competitive core.


🟠 Gujarat Giants — Smart Spending, One RTM Saved

Gujarat Giants adopted a balanced bidding approach, mixing marquee buys with value additions. With ₹15 lakh still remaining and 1 RTM card, they retain flexibility for mid-season adjustments.

Major Signings

  • Sophie Devine – ₹2 Cr

  • Georgia Wareham – ₹1 Cr

  • Bharti Fulmali – ₹70 Lac

  • Kashvee Gautam – ₹65 Lac

  • Renuka Singh – ₹60 Lac

Squad Overview

  • Overseas: 6

  • Indian: 12

  • Total: 18

  • RTM: 1

They look strong in pace, spin, and middle-order hitting—one of the most balanced squads this season.


🔵 Mumbai Indians — Bold Moves, Big Names, Full Purse Spent

Mumbai Indians made several strong acquisitions, focusing on capped internationals to reinforce their star-heavy lineup. They finished with zero funds remaining.

Key Picks

  • Amelia Kerr – ₹3 Cr

  • Sajeevan Sajana – ₹75 Lac

  • Shabnim Ismail – ₹60 Lac

  • Nicola Carey – ₹30 Lac

Squad Strength

  • Overseas: 6

  • Indian: 10

  • Total: 16

  • RTM: 0

Mumbai now boasts one of the strongest overseas units in the league.


🔴 Royal Challengers Bengaluru — Solid Core, Balanced Strategy

RCB focused on strengthening their bowling and all-round departments, leaving no funds unused and ensuring a well-rounded squad.

Top Players Bought

  • Lauren Bell – ₹90 Lac

  • Pooja Vastrakar – ₹85 Lac

  • Arundhati Reddy – ₹75 Lac

  • Grace Harris – ₹75 Lac

  • Nadine de Klerk – ₹65 Lac

Team Overview

  • Overseas: 6

  • Indian: 10

  • Total: 16

  • RTM: 0

The RCB squad looks dangerous with a powerful combination of pace, spin, and finishing ability.


🟣 UP Warriorz — Massive Spenders, Record-Breaking Day

UP Warriorz dominated the headline with their ₹3.2 crore purchase of Deepti Sharma, the highest in WPL 2026.

Blockbuster Buys

  • Deepti Sharma – ₹3.2 Cr (Most Expensive)

  • Shikha Pandey – ₹2.4 Cr

  • Meg Lanning – ₹1.9 Cr

  • Phoebe Litchfield – ₹1.2 Cr

  • Asha Sobhana – ₹1.1 Cr

Squad Snapshot

  • Overseas: 6

  • Indian: 12

  • Total: 18

  • Funds Remaining: ₹15 Lac

Their team is packed with leaders, tacticians, and match-winners—making them early favorites.


Unsold Players — A Long List of Surprises

The unsold list of the WPL auction was unexpectedly long, featuring some world-class names like:

  • Alyssa Healy

  • Amy Jones

  • Heather Knight

  • Chamari Athapaththu

  • Tazmin Brits

  • Darcie Brown

  • Sophia Dunkley

  • Sushma Verma

  • Suné Luus

  • Lea Tahuhu

  • Katie Cross

  • Suzie Bates

  • Georgia Redmayne

Despite strong international careers, many star players couldn’t find a team due to limited slots and teams preferring Indian all-rounders and spinners.


Top Buys of the Auction (Across Teams)

PlayerWinning BidTeam
Deepti Sharma₹3.2 CrUP Warriorz
Amelia Kerr₹3 CrMumbai Indians
Shikha Pandey₹2.4 CrUP Warriorz
Sophie Devine₹2 CrGujarat Giants
Meg Lanning₹1.9 CrUP Warriorz
Chinelle Henry₹1.3 CrDelhi Capitals
N. Charani₹1.3 CrDelhi Capitals
Phoebe Litchfield₹1.2 CrUP Warriorz

These players form the elite list of the 2026 WPL Auction.


🏏 Overall Team Summary (WPL 2026)

Delhi Capitals

  • Total Players: 16

  • Overseas: 6

  • Funds Left: ₹0

  • RTM: 0

Gujarat Giants

  • Total Players: 18

  • Overseas: 6

  • Funds Left: ₹15 Lac

  • RTM: 1

Mumbai Indians

  • Total Players: 16

  • Overseas: 6

  • Funds Left: ₹0

  • RTM: 0

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

  • Total Players: 16

  • Overseas: 6

  • Funds Left: ₹0

  • RTM: 0

UP Warriorz

  • Total Players: 18

  • Overseas: 6

  • Funds Left: ₹15 Lac

  • RTM: 0


📌 Conclusion — WPL 2026 Sets New Standards

The 2026 WPL auction showcased the growing depth, competitiveness, and global appeal of women’s cricket. From record-breaking buys to tactical squad-building decisions, franchises were aggressive and well-prepared.

With seasoned internationals, young domestic stars, and world-class all-rounders in the mix, the upcoming WPL season promises fierce battles, tactical innovation, and unforgettable performances.

Women’s cricket is no longer “growing”—it has arrived.