Deepti Sharma WPL 2026 Auction Price- Most Expensive Player in WPL History
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction delivered high drama in New Delhi on November 27, showcasing intense bidding battles as teams rebuilt their squads ahead of the upcoming season starting January 9 in Mumbai and Vadodara. With a combined purse of over ₹41 crore, franchises tactically used their Right-to-Match (RTM) options to retain key players. The biggest headline of the night was Deepti Sharma’s massive ₹3.2 crore deal, making her the joint second-most expensive player in WPL auction history. So let’s have a look at Deepti Sharma WPL 2026 Auction Price.
UP Warriorz Retain Deepti Sharma in Intense RTM Face-Off
Deepti Sharma entered the marquee set with a base price of ₹50 lakh, but her auction took a dramatic turn. Initially, Delhi Capitals secured her uncontested at the base price. However, UP Warriorz quickly triggered their RTM card, prompting DC to escalate the bid to a significant ₹3.2 crore. UP Warriorz matched the amount instantly, bringing Deepti back into their setup.
This marks a notable rise from her ₹2.6 crore price tag in WPL 2023. Deepti’s value jump reflects her outstanding contributions — 507 runs at a 117+ strike rate, 27 wickets, a historic hat-trick, and MVP recognition in 2024. Her leadership experience, including captaining UPW last season, and a stellar ODI World Cup where she was named Player of the Tournament, further solidified her high demand.
The Warriorz also strengthened their squad with additions like Meg Lanning (₹1.9 crore) and Sophie Ecclestone (₹85 lakh via RTM). With Deepti’s all-round prowess and tactical maturity, UPW head into WPL 2026 as strong title contenders.
Top Five Most Expensive Buys Reflect Rising WPL Market Value
Deepti’s ₹3.2 crore deal places her among the biggest signings in the league’s history, tying with Ashleigh Gardner and Nat Sciver-Brunt. The top five costliest WPL auction picks so far are:
| Rank | Player | Price (₹ Cr) | Team (Edition) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
The WPL auction table continues to reflect the expanding global interest in women’s cricket. High-value signings like Amelia Kerr (₹3 crore, MI) and Sophie Devine (₹2 crore, Gujarat Giants) underline the competition among franchises to secure proven T20 match-winners.
A Landmark Auction for Women’s Cricket
The WPL 2026 mega auction highlighted the league’s growing stature and the rising financial value of elite women cricketers. With franchises aggressively investing in multi-dimensional players, the upcoming season promises to deliver high-quality, competitive cricket.
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