Who Is the Most Expensive Player in WPL 2026? — Deepti Sharma Tops ₹3.20 Cr Bids
The 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction in New Delhi generated major headlines as franchises splurged big to secure marquee players ahead of the season that runs from 9 January to 5 February 2026. Among all the blockbuster bids, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma emerged as the most expensive player in the WPL 2026 auction — a standout moment in the league’s financial history.
Deepti Sharma: Most Expensive Buy at WPL 2026 Auction
Deepti Sharma clinched the title of most expensive player in the WPL 2026 auction, with UP Warriorz using their Right To Match (RTM) card to secure her for a whopping ₹3.20 crore, the highest bid of the 2026 auction cycle.
This figure makes her the priciest acquisition at this year’s auction, and she now stands among the most expensive players in WPL history, only topped historically by Smriti Mandhana’s ₹3.50 crore retention in 2023.
✔ Player: Deepti Sharma
✔ Team: UP Warriorz
✔ Price: ₹3.20 crore
✔ Role: All-rounder (batting + bowling)
✔ Auction Method: Right To Match (RTM) card
Why Deepti Sharma Commanded Top Price
Deepti’s premium price tag reflects her:
- World Cup 2025 standout performance and player of the tournament acclaim
- All-round skills with both bat and ball in T20 formats
- Growing leadership and match-winning reliability
- Status as one of India’s premier cricketers heading into WPL 2026
Auctioneers and franchises saw her as a pivotal figure capable of influencing matches across conditions, which justified the franchise’s aggressive bid.
Top WPL 2026 Auction Buys (Premium Players)
The room crackled with energy when Deepti Sharma’s name was called. Delhi Capitals aggressively pushed her price to ₹3.20 crore, but UP Warriorz refused to let their star all-rounder go, using their RTM card at the final moment.
Close on her heels was New Zealand sensation Amelia Kerr, who was bought back by Mumbai Indians for ₹3 crore. Kerr’s value stems from her dual ability as a world-class leg-spinner and a reliable middle-order batter, factors that have already led MI to two titles.
Here’s a snapshot of other high-value players from the WPL 2026 mega auction:
| Player | Team | Price (₹ crore) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | UP Warriorz | 3.20 | All-rounder |
| Amelia Kerr | Mumbai Indians | 3.00 | All-rounder |
| Shikha Pandey | UP Warriorz | 2.40 | All-rounder |
| Sophie Devine | Gujarat Giants | 2.00 | All-rounder |
| Meg Lanning | UP Warriorz | 1.90 | Batter |
| Chinelle Henry | Delhi Capitals | 1.30 | All-rounder |
| Phoebe Litchfield | UP Warriorz | 1.20 | Batter |
| Laura Wolvaardt | Delhi Capitals | 1.10 | Batter |
This list highlights the competitive landscape and how franchises prioritized impact players.
All-Time WPL Auction Price Context
While Deepti Sharma holds the top bid for WPL 2026, the overall record for the highest price in WPL history still belongs to Smriti Mandhana, who was retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹3.50 crore in 2023.
That dual benchmark helps distinguish between:
- Season-specific most expensive buy (Deepti Sharma in 2026)
- All-time highest pay packet in WPL history (Smriti Mandhana in 2023)
This context emphasizes how the league’s financial clout has evolved over its seasons.
Significance of High Auction Values
These rising auction prices reflect:
- Growing commercial interest in women’s cricket
- Franchises’ willingness to invest heavily in impact players
- Increasing salary benchmarks for elite talent
- Expanding fan engagement and broadcast values across global markets
With WPL becoming one of the premier women’s T20 leagues worldwide, player valuations are expected to stay competitive and trend upward in future seasons.
Looking Ahead to WPL 2026
As the league prepares for its exciting 2026 edition from 9 January to 5 February, Deepti Sharma’s marquee signing sets the tone for a high-stakes, star-studded season. Fans will be keen to see how these high-priced players perform on the field and whether their auction value translates into team success.
