Top 5 most expensive buys at the WPL 2026 mega auction

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction took place in Delhi on Thursday, and it had everything fans were hoping for—drama, excitement, surprises, and a few record-shattering deals. With all eyes on the five franchises, the event certainly lived up to the hype.

The auction saw some unexpected twists: a few big names who were expected to attract heavy bidding walked away without a single buyer, while others shocked everyone by smashing past previous price records.

As always, all-rounders dominated the spotlight, becoming the most sought-after players of the day. Several signings even surpassed earlier auction benchmarks, making headlines with their massive contracts.

In this article, let’s explore the top five most expensive signings from the WPL 2026 mega auction.

5. Meg Lanning – INR 1.96 crore to UP Warriorz

Australian great Meg Lanning needs no introduction. With a legendary career behind her, she led the Delhi Capitals (DC) to three straight WPL finals and brought unparalleled experience, sharp game awareness, and proven match-winning ability with the bat.

At the WPL 2026 mega auction, Lanning triggered a fierce bidding war between UP Warriorz, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In the end, the Warriorz sealed the deal, securing her for INR 1.90 crore — making her the fifth-most expensive player of the auction.

4. Sophie Devine – INR 2 crore to Gujarat Giants

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine landed a massive INR 2-crore deal at the auction. The seasoned all-rounder had spent her first three WPL seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where she scored 402 runs at an impressive strike rate of 153.43 and also contributed with the ball.

With more than 300 international appearances, Devine was one of the most sought-after players this year. Three franchises battled fiercely for her, raising their paddles 21 times. In the end, it was the Gujarat Giants who went all in and successfully secured the 36-year-old superstar.

3. Shikha Pandey – INR 2.4 crore to UP Warriorz

The biggest surprise of the WPL 2026 mega auction was Shikha Pandey, who became only the sixth Indian player to cross the ₹2 crore mark at the auction. The veteran all-rounder had delivered three impressive seasons with Delhi Capitals, claiming 30 wickets at an economy rate of 6.96.

Her knack for picking wickets with the new ball and keeping batters in check during the death overs makes her a valuable asset for any side. Both UP Warriorz and Royal Challengers Bengaluru were eager to sign her, but it was UP Warriorz who won the bidding war, securing her for a whopping ₹2.4 crore.

2. Amelia Kerr – INR 3 crore to Mumbai Indians

Amelia Kerr, the Purple Cap winner of WPL 2025, has been instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ two title victories. Surprisingly, the franchise released her ahead of the WPL 2025 mega auction, leaving many fans shocked.

However, Mumbai Indians were eager to bring their star all-rounder back. Not worrying about their remaining budget, they went head-to-head with UP-W in a tense bidding war that saw 26 rounds of bids. In the end, MI secured Kerr once again, paying a whopping INR 3 crore for their champion player.

1. Deepti Sharma – INR 3.2 crore to UP Warriorz

Deepti Sharma, the former captain of the UP Warriorz, was released ahead of the WPL 2026 mega auction. When her name came up, Delhi Capitals were the first to bid ₹50 lakh. However, UP Warriorz quickly used their Right To Match (RTM) card.

The franchise ultimately bid ₹3.2 crore to bring their star all-rounder back, making Deepti the most expensive player in this WPL auction. Ranked No. 3 among T20I all-rounders globally, she was also named Player of the Tournament during India’s victorious campaign at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

Cover Credits - WPL