Women’s Premier League 2026 mega auction ignited fierce bidding wars in New Delhi on November 27, marking the event’s first full-scale participant reshuffle forward of the season beginning January 9 in Mumbai and Baroda. Franchises entered with a mixed purse of over ₹41 crore, strategically deploying Proper-to-Match (RTM) playing cards to reclaim stars after pre-auction retentions. All-rounder Deepti Sharma stole the highlight, turning into the joint second-most costly participant in WPL historical past as UP Warriorz matched Delhi Capitals’ ₹3.2 crore bid to deliver her again.
UP Warriorz safe Deepti Sharma in dramatic RTM showdown
Deepti, coming into at a modest base value of ₹50 lakh within the marquee set, sparked an surprising frenzy when Delhi Capitals snapped her up initially with out competitors. UP Warriorz, her former franchise, activated their RTM choice, prompting DC to counter with the escalated ₹3.2 crore determine, which UPW promptly matched to retain her companies.
Beforehand acquired for ₹2.6 crore in WPL 2023, Deepti’s worth surged by ₹60 lakh, reflecting her confirmed influence: 507 runs at a 117.63 strike fee and 27 wickets throughout 25 matches, together with a historic hat-trick and MVP honors in 2024. Her management stint captaining UPW final season, mixed with current ODI World Cup Participant of the Event exploits, cemented her as a flexible asset able to batting at any place and bowling economically in all phases.
This reunion bolsters UP Warriorz’s core alongside acquisitions like Meg Lanning (₹1.9 crore) and Sophie Ecclestone (₹85 lakh through RTM), positioning them strongly regardless of a modest pre-auction retention of Shweta Sehrawat. Deepti’s all-phase contributions make her indispensable for a franchise eyeing their first title after constant playoff appearances.
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High 5 costliest buys redefine WPL market worth
Deepti’s deal vaults her into elite firm, tying for second on the all-time WPL public sale listing dominated by inaugural 2023 extravagance.
| Rank | Participant | Value (₹ Crore) | Staff (Version) |
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana | 3.40 | RCB (2023) |
| 2 | Deepti Sharma | 3.20 | UP Warriorz (2026) |
| =2 | Ashleigh Gardner | 3.20 | Gujarat Giants (2023) |
| =2 | Nat Sciver-Brunt | 3.20 | Mumbai Indians (2023) |
| 5 | Amelia Kerr | 3.00 | Mumbai Indians (2026) |
Mandhana’s report opener opener bid set the tone, whereas Deepti joins Ashleigh Gardner and Nat Sciver-Brunt as all-round powerhouses validating huge investments by means of multi-faceted performances. Current marquee highlights like Amelia Kerr (₹3 crore, MI) and Sophie Devine (₹2 crore, Gujarat Giants) sign escalating stakes for WPL 2026. These buys underscore franchises prioritizing confirmed T20 match-winners amid rising international demand for ladies’s cricket expertise.
Additionally READ: WPL 2026 Auction: 5 overseas players who can start fierce bidding wars
This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
