The Hammer Falls: A New Era for Women’s Cricket
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) isn’t just a tournament; it’s a revolution. And if the last two seasons were a spark, the WPL Auction 2026 Highlights delivered an absolute explosion! This mega auction, held today in New Delhi, wasn’t just about filling slots; it was a high-stakes rebuild where every single paddle raise was a statement of intent, strategy, and pure, nail-biting drama.
From the first marquee set to the final uncapped picks, the teams went all-in, shattering price records, deploying shrewd RTMs (Right to Match) cards, and pulling off genuine surprises that left cricket experts and fans alike reeling. If you missed the live action, don’t worry—we’ve compiled the definitive breakdown of the most expensive signings, the strategic masterstrokes, and everything that defined the WPL Auction 2026 Highlights.
The sheer scale of the event confirmed that the WPL is now an undisputed powerhouse in global women’s sports. A staggering ₹40.8 crore was spent as franchises scrambled to fill 67 of the available 73 slots, completely reshaping the landscape for the upcoming season.
The Billion-Dollar Battles: Who Topped the WPL Auction 2026 Highlights?
The spotlight was firmly fixed on a handful of generational talents, and the bids quickly soared past the crore mark, creating moments of intense theatre.
Deepti Sharma: The Record-Breaker (₹3.2 Crore)
The biggest story of the day, and the most anticipated item in the WPL Auction 2026 Highlights, belonged to India’s star all-rounder, Deepti Sharma. Following her Player of the Tournament performance at the recent ICC Women’s World Cup, her value was expected to skyrocket.
Delhi Capitals (DC) launched a massive bid, pushing the price to a colossal ₹3.20 crore. However, in a display of unshakeable conviction, the UP Warriorz (UPW) immediately exercised their Right to Match (RTM) card, securing her services for the exact same amount.
Fact Check: Deepti Sharma’s ₹3.20 crore price tag makes her the most expensive player of the WPL 2026 auction and the second-highest-paid Indian player in WPL history, sitting just ₹20 lakh shy of Smriti Mandhana’s all-time record. UPW made it clear: she is the cornerstone of their future.
Amelia Kerr: The ₹3 Crore Overseas Star
Another bidding frenzy erupted for New Zealand’s spin-bowling all-rounder, Amelia Kerr. Mumbai Indians (MI), the defending champions, had released Kerr only to aggressively pursue her in the auction, battling hard against their rivals. MI eventually won the bid for a massive ₹3.00 crore, making her the most expensive overseas signing of the WPL 2026 season. Her return to the MI camp ensures their balanced, all-round strength remains intact.
You can check Pooja Vastrakar: Player to Watch in the WPL Auction
Shikha Pandey and Meg Lanning: UPW’s Aggression
UP Warriorz cemented their position as the day’s most aggressive bidders. Besides the stunning Deepti RTM, they went head-to-head with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for veteran Indian pacer-all-rounder Shikha Pandey, whom they ultimately acquired for an impressive ₹2.40 crore.
In another shocking twist among the WPL Auction 2026 Highlights, UPW snatched away the highly decorated Australian captain Meg Lanning from her former team, Delhi Capitals, for ₹1.90 crore, adding a world-class leader and anchor to their batting line-up.
Team Strategy & The Unsold Surprises
Beyond the top buys, the auction was defined by the strategic choices of the five franchises, highlighting a clear shift toward specialist roles and team balance.
Delhi Capitals: Smart Buys with a Small Purse
Delhi Capitals entered the auction with the smallest purse (around ₹5.7 crore) after retaining five key players. Though they missed Deepti Sharma, they showed remarkable poise, securing powerful players who fit their budget perfectly. DC picked up two significant all-rounders for the middle order—Sree Charani (India) and Chinelle Henry (Overseas)—for ₹1.30 crore each. The addition of South African captain Laura Wolvaardt for ₹1.10 crore ensures top-order firepower. DC’s strategy was surgical and effective.
The Gujarat Giants Rebuild
Gujarat Giants (GG) were determined to rebuild their squad. Their key move was securing the experienced all-rounder Sophie Devine for ₹2.00 crore after a bidding war with DC, adding a much-needed aggressive edge. They also snapped up Indian pacer Renuka Singh for ₹60 lakh and rising domestic star Kashvee Gautam (RTM) for ₹65 lakh, focusing heavily on bolstering their pace attack.
RCB and the MI Core
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made some crucial additions to support their established core of Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry. Their smart buys included South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk for ₹65 lakh and the return of domestic talents like Pooja Vastrakar (₹85 lakh).
Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, successfully focused on continuity. Alongside the huge Amelia Kerr purchase, they ensured their lower-order strength by re-acquiring their star spinner Saika Ishaque and veteran pacer Shabnim Ismail for ₹30 lakh and ₹60 lakh, respectively, maintaining the winning MI DNA.
The Unsold Shock
No list of WPL Auction 2026 Highlights would be complete without mentioning the surprising omissions. Perhaps the biggest shock was Australian star wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, who went unsold. Other marquee names like England’s Heather Knight also failed to attract a bid, demonstrating the ultra-specific, sometimes unforgiving nature of a mega auction where strategy often trumps reputation.
Final WPL Auction 2026 Highlights Summary Table
| Team | Most Expensive Buy | Price | Key Strategic Takeaway |
| UP Warriorz | Deepti Sharma (RTM) | ₹3.20 Cr | Aggressive RTM use; acquired top leadership (Lanning) and all-rounders (Pandey). |
| Mumbai Indians | Amelia Kerr | ₹3.00 Cr | Prioritised securing key all-rounders released for auction to maintain core strength. |
| Delhi Capitals | Sree Charani / C. Henry | ₹1.30 Cr (Each) | Shrewd use of a small purse, targeting specific all-rounders and overseas batters (Wolvaardt). |
| Gujarat Giants | Sophie Devine | ₹2.00 Cr | Rebuilding the pace and power-hitting departments with big names and domestic talent. |
| RCB | Lauren Bell | ₹90 Lakh | Focused on strengthening bowling and all-round depth around their core batters. |
What Do the WPL Auction 2026 Highlights Mean for the Season?
The Women’s Premier League 2026 season is shaping up to be the most competitive yet. The high-profile releases and retentions have fundamentally altered the balance of power.
- UP Warriorz’s Dominance: By securing the top two Indian all-rounders (Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey) and a world-class leader (Meg Lanning), UPW has positioned itself as the team to beat.
- The All-Rounder Premium: The massive bids for Deepti Sharma, Amelia Kerr, and Shikha Pandey clearly show that versatile players who can contribute with both bat and ball are the new gold standard in the WPL, dominating the WPL Auction 2026 Highlights.
- Depth is Key: Teams like DC, despite a smaller purse, managed to build deep squads, focusing on reliable domestic talent and utility overseas players, rather than just one mega-star.
The drama of the auction room is now over. The stage is set, the squads are complete, and the countdown to the first ball of WPL 2026 has begun. Based on these WPL Auction 2026 Highlights, every team has a shot at the title.
