The 2026 Women’s Premier League auction in New Delhi was full of drama, surprises, and big spending. At the top of the night, Deepti Sharma was bought by UP Warriorz Women for ₹3.20 crore through RTM, making her the most expensive signing of the event.
International stars also made headlines. Amelia Kerr went to the Mumbai Indians Women for ₹3.00 crore, and Sophie Devine joined the Gujarat Giants Women for ₹2.00 crore. This showed that franchises were pursuing both global talent and domestic strength.
However, the night included unexpected moments. Alyssa Healy, a well-known player and former WPL star, went unsold. This surprised many, highlighting that teams’ strategies, overseas player limits, and squad balance were more important than previous fame.
Meanwhile, teams like UP Warriorz, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Giants actively invested in rebuilding and strengthening their rosters.
With key players retained and new talent added, the WPL 2026 squads are now complete, blending experience, youth, and international skill. The auction has set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Key Player Signings from WPL 2026 Auction
The WPL 2026 Auction was exciting and surprising. Teams kept their main players and bid strongly for top domestic and international stars. Deepti Sharma became the highest purchase, while some big names went unsold, surprising fans.
UP Warriorz, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Giants were the most active spenders, changing their teams with a blend of experience and young talent. The auction has prepared the way for a thrilling WPL season.
Here are the top five most expensive players in the WPL 2026 Auction:
| Player | Team Bought | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | UP Warriorz | 3.20 crore |
| Amelia Kerr | Mumbai Indians | 3.00 crore |
| Shikha Pandey | UP Warriorz | 2.40 crore |
| Sophie Devine | Gujarat Giants | 2.00 crore |
| Meg Lanning | UP Warriorz | 1.90 crore |
The WPL 2026 auction had its share of surprises. The biggest shock was Alyssa Healy, a star player and former WPL standout, going unsold. Fans were stunned because she was expected to be a top choice.
Other well-known players like Heather Knight and Tazmin Brits also went unsold. These omissions show how team strategies, limits on overseas players, and budget restrictions often matter more than past performance.
Major Buys and Key Picks – WPL 2026
The WPL 2026 auction included more than just the biggest names. Several other players received strong bids and brought new skills to their teams. For instance, Shikha Pandey joined UP Warriorz Women for ₹ 2.40 crore, boosting their all-round depth. Phoebe Litchfield also caught attention, signing with UP Warriorz for ₹ 1.20 crore as a promising young batter.
Meanwhile, Chinelle Henry and Shree Charani were valuable selections for the Delhi Capitals Women, each going for about ₹ 1.30 crore. They are solid buys for their batting and all-round abilities. On the international scene, players like Deandra Dottin attracted interest as teams sought a mix of experience, power-hitting, and versatility.
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WPL 2026 most expensive players
The WPL 2026 Auction had big bids for top talent. This showed teams wanted to build strong, balanced squads. Franchises spent a lot on experienced internationals, star Indian players, and promising uncapped talent.
These high-profile signings are expected to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. They will create exciting matches and tough competition.
- Most expensive player in WPL 2026: Deepti Sharma (₹3.20 crore) to UP Warriorz.
- Most expensive overseas player in WPL 2026: Amelia Kerr (₹3.20 crore) to the Mumbai Indians.
- Most expensive Indian player in WPL 2026: Deepti Sharma (₹3.20 crore) to UP Warriorz.
- Most expensive uncapped player in WPL 2026: Anushka Sharma (₹45 lakh) to Gujarat Giants.
