WPL 2026 Auction has already delivered a record-breaking spree, headlined by India all-rounder Deepti Sharma’s blockbuster return to UP Warriorz for ₹3.2 crore and a flurry of big-money moves across all five franchises. The top 10 most expensive signings so far underline how teams are prioritising multi-dimensional cricketers and proven big-match performers as the league enters a decisive fourth season
WPL 2026 Auction overview
The WPL 2026 mega auction in New Delhi has seen 277 players go under the hammer, with 73 slots available across Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and UP Warriorz. Franchises came in with a combined purse of ₹41.1 crore after retentions, with UP Warriorz holding the largest remaining budget at ₹14.5 crore, allowing them to dictate several of the marquee battles.
From the first marquee set, it was clear that owners were ready to push prices into new territory for genuine all‑rounders and clutch batters, even if that meant bold calls on established stars and fan favourites. Unsurprisingly, Indian talent and spin‑bowling all‑rounders in particular commanded a premium, reflecting how teams are reading Indian conditions and the tactical demands of a longer tournament.
Top 10 most expensive signings so far
The top 10 deals of the auction have effectively reshaped the power balance of the league, with UP Warriorz, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants especially aggressive at the top end of the market. Here is how the biggest cheques have been written so far, based on official auction data and live coverage.
- Deepti Sharma to UP Warriorz (RTM): ₹3.2 crore
- Amelia Kerr to Mumbai Indians: ₹3 crore
- Sophie Devine to Gujarat Giants: ₹2 crore
- Meg Lanning to UP Warrior: ₹1.9 crore
- Chinelle Henry to Delhi Capitals: ₹1.3 crore
- N. (Sree) Charani to Delhi Capitals: ₹1.3 crore
- Phoebe Litchfield to UP Warrior: ₹1.2 crore
- Laura Wolvaardt to Delhi Capitals: around the ₹1.1 crore bracket
- Asha Sobhana to UP Warrior: ₹1.1 crore
- A cluster of Indian and overseas picks, including high‑value domestic bowlers and all‑rounders, rounding out the top‑pay bracket just under the ₹1.1 crore mark.
These figures emphasise how teams are concentrating spending on a relatively small group of players expected to be on the field in almost every high‑stakes situation, whether with bat, ball, or both. The premium segment has also become more diverse geographically, with Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England all represented in this elite bracket alongside India’s best.
Most expensive buys table
Top 8 high-profile deals have been widely reported and help illustrate the changing market for women’s T20 stars.
| Rank | Player | Team | Role | Price (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deepti Sharma | UP Warriorz | All-rounder | 3.2 |
| 2 | Amelia Kerr | Mumbai Indians | All-rounder | 3.0 |
| 3 | Sophie Devine | Gujarat Giants | All-rounder | 2.0 |
| 4 | Meg Lanning | UP Warriorz | Batter | 1.9 |
| 5 | Chinelle Henry | Delhi Capitals | All-rounder | 1.3 |
| 6 | Sree Charani | Delhi Capitals | All-rounder | 1.3 |
| 7 | Phoebe Litchfield | UP Warriorz | Top-order bat | 1.2 |
| 8 | Laura Wolvaardt | Delhi Capitals | Top-order bat | ~1.1 |
This table shows a clear tilt towards multi‑skill all‑rounders at the top of the pay scale, followed by technically strong top‑order batters trusted to anchor or accelerate as conditions demand. It also underlines how three franchises, UP Warrior, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, have dominated the highest spending band so far.
Deepti Sharma’s record-breaking RTM drama
The defining moment of the auction arrived when Deepti Sharma’s name was called, sparking a furious bidding war that culminated in Delhi Capitals forcing UP Warriorz to use their Right to Match at a massive ₹3.2 crore. That figure makes her the most expensive buy of the 2026 auction and one of the costliest signings in WPL history, underlining her value as India’s premier spin‑bowling all‑rounder.
UP Warriorz had trailed Deepti’s importance to their identity since previous seasons, and the willingness to commit such a large chunk of their purse underlines how central she is to their tactical planning. With bat, ball and leadership impact all rolled into one, she effectively fills multiple slots in the XI, which helps justify such a heavy outlay in a capped‑budget environment.
Overseas stars, Indian core
Amelia Kerr’s ₹3 crore move to Mumbai Indians is another statement deal, giving the defending champions an elite leg‑spinning all‑rounder who can control middle overs and finish games. For MI, securing Kerr again protects the core that has already delivered titles and ensures continuity around which younger talent can be integrated.
Gujarat Giants going up to ₹2 crore for Sophie Devine signals a change of approach after inconsistent early seasons, banking on a proven power‑hitter who can also offer overs with the ball. Meanwhile, UP Warriorz pouncing on Meg Lanning for ₹1.9 crore gives them one of the sharpest batting brains in the women’s game, potentially transforming their top order and on‑field decision‑making.
Delhi Capitals’ bold all‑rounder punt
Delhi Capitals have quietly assembled one of the most balanced squads of the auction, and the twin splurge on Chinelle Henry and Sree Charani at ₹1.3 crore each reflects a deliberate tilt towards seam‑bowling and batting depth. Henry’s pace and hitting power offer a different texture to an attack that has typically leaned on spin, while Charani’s domestic performances have convinced DC that she can bridge the gap to international level quickly.
This willingness to spend heavily on relatively less‑established names shows how quickly the women’s market is maturing, with franchises now looking beyond the usual marquee list to identify upside players. For DC, these moves also cushion the workload on existing stars like Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma, who have carried a heavy share of responsibility in previous campaigns.
UP Warriorz reshape their identity
No franchise has used the mega auction to rebrand itself more aggressively than UP Warrior, who now boast three of the top 10 most expensive signings, Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield. Litchfield’s ₹1.2 crore deal adds a left‑handed, modern top‑order presence capable of high‑tempo scoring and inventive stroke‑play, a profile that nicely complements Lanning’s more classical game.
UPW’s spending spree is backed by the largest pre‑auction purse and multiple RTM cards, allowing them to chase their preferred targets without constantly looking over their shoulders at the budget. The result is a squad that looks far more rounded, with experienced international heads, Indian core depth and a clear emphasis on flexibility in both batting order and bowling combinations.
Big names unsold and surprises
Even as the money flowed at the top, the auction produced some sharp shocks, with former Australia captain Alyssa Healy among the marquee names who found no takers in this cycle. The lack of bids for such a decorated player underlines how franchises are making hard‑nosed decisions based on form, age, workload and squad balance rather than reputation alone.
A number of uncapped Indian players also went unsold, reflecting the intense competition for limited slots, especially for batters who do not offer a secondary skill. On the flip side, the strong prices for domestic all‑rounders and bowlers in the top band show that franchises are more than willing to bet big when they see a clear role and match‑winning potential.
What the top 10 deals tell us about WPL 2026
Taken together, the top 10 most expensive signings of the WPL 2026 auction tell a clear story: this is now a league built around multi‑dimensional cricketers, tactical flexibility and depth rather than pure star power. Teams have shown they will pay a premium for players who can bat in multiple positions, bowl in different phases and add leadership or fielding excellence on top.
As squads settle, these big‑money signings will carry heavy expectations to turn price tags into performances, particularly in crunch moments at the back end of the season. With the gap between franchises narrowing and data‑driven recruitment now front and centre, WPL 2026 already feels like the most tactically intriguing edition yet, and the auction room has set the tone perfectly.