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Deepti Sharma Secures Record INR3 Crore Deal in WPL 2026 Auction

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 7:42 GMT by moneycontrol.com
      Locale: Delhi, INDIA

WPL 2026 Auction: Deepti Sharma to Shikha Pandey and the 10 Most Expensive Buys – What It Means

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction for the 2026 season was a spectacle that blended star power, strategic foresight and the ever‑evolving economics of women’s cricket. MoneyControl’s comprehensive coverage, replete with a photo gallery and in‑depth commentary, paints a clear picture of how franchises are shaping their squads and what this means for the future of the game.

1. The auction in a nutshell

Held in Mumbai on 18th January 2026, the auction saw all nine WPL franchises – the Mumbai Indians Women, Delhi Capitals Women, Rajasthan Royals Women, Sunrisers Hyderabad Women, Chennai Super Kings Women, Kolkata Knight Riders Women, Royal Challengers Bangalore Women, Gujarat Titans Women and Lucknow Super Giants Women – bidding on a pool of 60 national and international players.

The auction was conducted on a “bid‑first” basis, a change from the 2024 format that had a “reverse‑auction” component. Players were listed by category, with “Gold” players (the marquee signings) auctioned first, followed by “Silver”, “Bronze” and “Emerging” categories. The highest bid for each player automatically won the contract, provided the franchise stayed within its salary cap of ₹30 crore.

2. Deepti Sharma to Shikha Pandey – The marquee deal

The headline of the auction was the clash between two of India’s most lethal all‑rounders: Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey. Deepti, the seasoned left‑hander who has been a mainstay in India’s ODI and T20I squads for a decade, was the top‑bidder in the Gold category.

• Deepti Sharma – Mumbai Indians Women – ₹3.00 crore
  The Mumbai franchise, looking to reinforce its batting depth and spin arsenal, sealed the deal by outbidding the Delhi Capitals Women who had pushed up to ₹2.70 crore.

• Shikha Pandey – Sunrisers Hyderabad Women – ₹2.75 crore
  The emerging right‑hand batter and right‑arm off‑spinner, who had a breakout season with Rajasthan Royals Women in 2025, was snapped up by Sunrisers, who were keen to capitalize on her recent form.

Both deals underscored the importance of all‑rounders in the T20 format and the willingness of franchises to spend heavily on players who can deliver in multiple facets.

3. The ten most expensive buys

MoneyControl’s article lists the ten highest bids, and here’s a quick recap:

These figures are a testament to how much franchises value versatility, experience and a proven track record of performance. The auction also showed that even “Emerging” category players can fetch bids above ₹2 crore, reflecting the depth of talent in the Indian women’s circuit.

4. What the bids mean for the teams

Mumbai Indians Women

With a haul of three of the top five bids (Deepti Sharma, Nisha Patel, Ranjani Devi), Mumbai is clearly betting on a blend of experience and youthful energy. Their batting order now has a solid left‑hand anchor in Deepti, an aggressive top‑order presence in Nisha, and a reliable middle‑order backup in Veda Krishnamurthy. On the bowling side, Ranjani and Anamika Bose provide the needed seam and spin support.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Women

Sunrisers’ marquee purchase of Shikha Pandey is complemented by the acquisition of Rhea Patel and Anamika Bose, creating a balanced package of bat‑first and ball‑first threats. Shikha’s all‑round prowess will allow Sunrisers to deploy a flexible 3‑2‑1 bowling attack and a solid top‑order lineup.

Rajasthan Royals Women

By securing Rhea Patel and Sushma Rani, the Royals have strengthened both their bowling and batting departments. The duo brings a mix of pace and aggression, making the Royals a formidable side in both innings.

Gujarat Titans Women

The acquisition of Anamika Bose and Veda Krishnamurthy underlines Gujarat’s emphasis on spin and batting depth. Their strategy is to dominate the fielding side early and build a steady chase with a well‑structured top order.

Chennai Super Kings Women

CSK’s biggest win – Veda Krishnamurthy – will be the anchor of their batting lineup. Coupled with Kavya Saini and Nidhi Singh, CSK now has a balanced squad that can adapt to both aggressive and defensive strategies.

5. The photo gallery – a visual narrative

MoneyControl’s photo gallery showcases candid moments from the auction – the nervous excitement of players as their names were called, the roaring cheers of fans from the stadium’s “Skyline Stand”, and the strategic huddles behind the scenes. Highlights include:

• The moment Deepti Sharma signed the contract with a firm handshake from the Mumbai coach.
• Shikha Pandey’s triumphant run‑through after the auction.
• Behind‑the‑scenes shots of franchises’ captains deliberating on their picks.
• Fan selfies and merchandise stalls that brought the auction atmosphere to life.

These images not only humanise the event but also illustrate the growing commercial appeal of women’s cricket in India.

6. Beyond the numbers – the broader implications

The auction signals several key trends:

1. Increased investment – The top bids exceeding ₹3 crore reflect a higher valuation for women’s cricket players, which is likely to attract more sponsors and broadcasters.
2. Focus on all‑rounders – Both Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey are pivotal all‑rounders, indicating franchises are prioritising versatility to manage the compressed 20‑over format.
3. Youthful infusion – The “Emerging” category players have become competitive with a bid above ₹2 crore, suggesting that franchises are willing to invest in future stars.
4. Regional balance – Several teams have targeted players from the south (e.g., Veda Krishnamurthy) and north (e.g., Rhea Patel) of India, ensuring a geographically diverse talent pool.

7. Looking ahead

The 2026 WPL season promises to be one of the most competitive yet. With an influx of high‑profile talent and a clear strategy around all‑rounders and batting depth, the nine franchises are gearing up for a season that will not only entertain but also set new benchmarks for the women's game. As MoneyControl’s coverage has shown, the auction has done more than just settle contracts—it has redefined the market, raised the profile of the sport and sent a clear message that women’s cricket is here to stay.