The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 Mega Auction proved to be a thrilling event, witnessing intense bidding wars for both Indian and international cricketing stars. Franchises strategically invested in players to build formidable squads for the upcoming season. This auction was pivotal in shaping the team compositions, with several prominent names securing substantial contracts.
Deepti Sharma Leads the Pack as Most Expensive Indian Player
India's star all-rounder, Deepti Sharma, emerged as the most expensive Indian player at the WPL 2026 auction. UP Warriors utilized their 'Right to Match' (RTM) card to secure her services for a staggering three crore 20 lakh rupees, while this acquisition makes Deepti the second most expensive player in the history of WPL auctions. She now stands as the second most expensive Indian player after Smriti Mandhana, who fetched 20 lakh rupees more than Deepti. Deepti Sharma's all-round capabilities, encompassing both batting and bowling prowess, make her an invaluable asset for any. Team, and UP Warriors' significant investment underscores their confidence in her ability to contribute Notably to their campaign.
International Stars Shine Bright
The auction wasn't just about Indian talent; international stars also commanded high prices. Mumbai Indians successfully acquired New Zealand's star all-rounder, Amelia Kerr, for three crore rupees. Amelia Kerr has a stellar WPL track record, having been an integral part of the Mumbai team that clinched titles in 2023 and 2025. Her exceptional performance last year saw her jointly topping the charts as the highest wicket-taker, highlighting her bowling expertise. Her all-round contribution is expected to be crucial for Mumbai Indians, while Also, Gujarat Giants secured New Zealand's Sophie Devine for two crore rupees, known for her explosive batting and effective medium-pace bowling. Australia's legendary captain, Meg Lanning, was brought into the UP Warriors fold for one crore 90 lakh rupees, bringing her vast captaincy experience and consistent batting to the team.
Indian Talent in High Demand
Franchises also showed immense faith in Indian talent during the auction. UP Warriors invested 2 crore 40 lakh rupees in experienced all-rounder Shikha Pandey, while shikha Pandey's ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs with her fast bowling and contribute with the bat in the lower order provides valuable balance to the team. Meanwhile, India's leg-spinner Sri Charani was bought by Delhi Capitals for one crore 30 lakh rupees, Importantly higher than her base price of 30 lakh rupees. This reflects the franchise's belief in her spin bowling potential. Asha Shobana also joined UP Warriors for 1, while 10 crore rupees, marking another substantial investment in promising Indian talent.
Top 10 Most Expensive Players at WPL 2026 Mega Auction
Several players commanded significant sums in this auction.
Deepti Sharma - 3.
Amelia Kerr - 3 crore (MI)
Shikha Pandey - 2.
Sophie Devine - 2 crore (GG)
Meg Lanning - 1.
Sri Charani - 1.
Chinelle Henry - 1.
Phoebe Litchfield - 1.
Laura Wolvaardt - 1.
Asha Shobana - 1.
Full Squads of All Teams
Following the auction, all teams have finalized their squads, featuring a blend of experienced veterans and promising young talents.
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. Gujarat Giants have bolstered their team with key international players like Sophie Devine and Ashleigh Gardner, positioning them as strong contenders.
Delhi Capitals:
Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Sri Charani, Chinelle Henry, Laura Wolvaardt, Nikki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Taniya Bhatia, Lizelle Lee, Diya Yadav, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandini Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani. Delhi Capitals has focused on building a strong and balanced team, incorporating explosive batters like Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, alongside all-rounders such as Marizanne Kapp.
Mumbai Indians:
Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, Gunalan Kulkarni, Nicola Carey, Sanskriti Gupta, Rahil Firdaus, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vashisht, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Millie Illingworth. Mumbai Indians have retained their core players while adding match-winners like Amelia Kerr, which has been a cornerstone of their consistent success.
Royal Challengers Bangalore:
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, Prathyusha Kumar, Dayalan Hemalatha. Royal Challengers Bangalore have assembled a formidable batting lineup with big names like Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry, complemented by an experienced bowling attack.
UP Warriors:
Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Asha Shobana, Sophie Ecclestone, Deandra Dottin, Kiran Navgire, Kranti Gaud, Shweta Sehrawat, Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, Simran Shaikh, G Trisha, Pratik Rawal. UP Warriors have built a balanced and powerful team by acquiring strategic players like Deepti Sharma and Meg Lanning, making them a strong contender for the upcoming season.
Overall, the WPL 2026 Mega Auction was an exciting phase for. The teams, as they meticulously selected players according to their strategies. All franchises have made excellent purchases to strengthen their squads, promising fierce competition in the upcoming season. It will be intriguing to see which team, with these new talents and seasoned players, ultimately lifts the trophy.
