Deepti Sharma Set to Command Highest Bid at WPL 2026 Mega Auction in Delhi

On November 27, 2025, the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega-auction Delhi will reshape the future of women’s franchise cricket in India — and all eyes are on one name: Deepti Sharma. The Indian all-rounder, fresh off being named Player of the Series in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, is expected to become the most expensive player ever bought in WPL history, with bids potentially surging past ₹3.2 crore. Her performance wasn’t just good — it was transformative. She bowled with surgical precision under pressure, anchored the middle order, and even took crucial wickets in the final. That kind of consistency doesn’t come along often — and franchises know it.

Why Deepti Sharma Is the Crown Jewel

Deepti Sharma isn’t just a player. She’s a complete package: a left-arm spinner who can bat aggressively, a fielder who reads the game like a chess master, and a leader who elevates those around her. In the 2025 World Cup, she scored 312 runs at 52 and took 14 wickets at 16.8 — numbers that made her the only all-rounder in the tournament to crack both the top 5 in runs and wickets. Former India captain Veda Krishnamurthy put it bluntly on JioHotstar: “She’s not just a player. She’s the kind of player who wins games when everything else falls apart.”

Her previous WPL auction price? ₹2.60 crore. That was back in 2023. Now, with her World Cup heroics fresh in memory and the market hungry for balanced Indian all-rounders, that figure looks almost laughable. Analysts at Sportskeeda predict she’ll be the first player to cross the ₹3 crore mark — possibly through the Right To Match (RTM) mechanism, a tool that lets teams retain a player even if another franchise outbids them. Economic Times noted that her RTM value is pegged at ₹3.2 crore, suggesting UP Warriorz or Gujarat Giants may already have her locked in.

The Franchises With the Muscle to Bid

The auction purse distribution alone tells a story. UP Warriorz enters with ₹14.50 crore — more than double what the fifth-placed team has. That’s not just spending power; it’s a declaration of intent. With three RTM cards in hand, they could be playing a high-stakes game of chess: hold onto Deepti if she’s available, or use the RTM to block rivals. Gujarat Giants aren’t far behind with ₹9 crore and three RTMs. Former India player Anjum Chopra said bluntly: “Gujarat should be first in line. They need a core Indian all-rounder — and Deepti is the only one who can anchor their middle and finish games.”

Then there’s Delhi Capitals, who’ve shown a pattern of targeting Indian stars who can do it all. They snapped up N Shree Charani for ₹55 lakh last time — and she went on to play a key role in India’s World Cup win. Now, they’re circling Deepti. “They’ve got the budget, the need, and the history of backing Indian talent,” Chopra added. Even Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with ₹6.15 crore and one RTM, won’t sit idle. The question isn’t if they’ll bid — it’s how hard.

The Competition: Laura Wolvaardt and the Overseas Threat

While Deepti dominates headlines, she’s not alone in the marquee group. Laura Wolvaardt, the South African batter, finished as the top run-scorer in the 2025 World Cup with 571 runs in nine innings — including two centuries and three half-centuries. Her average? 71.37. That’s not just good — it’s statistically elite. She’s calm under pressure, technically flawless, and capable of single-handedly winning games. Many believe she’ll be the second-most expensive buy, likely fetching between ₹2.8 and ₹3 crore.

Then there’s Sophie Ecclestone, the English spinner with 142 T20I wickets at an average of 15.73. She’s not flashy, but she’s devastating. In the 2025 World Cup, she took 12 wickets in 7 matches — including a 4-wicket haul against Australia. Her economy rate of 4.82 makes her a franchise’s dream: a wicket-taker who doesn’t leak runs. Teams like Mumbai Indians, who’ve struggled with spin depth, will be desperate to lock her in.

The Rising Stars: Who Could Steal the Show

Beyond the marquee names, the auction is a launchpad for unknowns. N Shree Charani, the left-arm spinner, went from ₹55 lakh pick to World Cup hero. Now, she’s a proven commodity. Then there’s Navgire, who smashed the fastest women’s T20 century ever — 34 balls. That kind of power-hitting doesn’t come cheap. And Deeya Yadav, the Haryana batter who’s modeled her game on Shafali Verma, smashed 298 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 128. She’s raw, fearless, and explosive — exactly what teams want for the powerplay.

The base price tiers reflect the depth: 19 players at ₹50 lakh, 11 at ₹40 lakh, and 88 at ₹30 lakh. That’s over 100 players who could be bargains. But here’s the twist: franchises aren’t just buying talent. They’re buying chemistry, stability, and identity. In a league where the gap between 2nd and 5th place can be one match, every rupee spent must be strategic.

What’s at Stake Beyond the Bidding War

This auction isn’t just about who gets Deepti. It’s about who builds the next WPL powerhouse. UP Warriorz could dominate if they secure her. Gujarat Giants might leapfrog if they land Wolvaardt and Deepti. Delhi Capitals could become the most balanced team if they pull off both. And if a team like Mumbai Indians — historically strong in overseas signings — lands Ecclestone and a surprise Indian gem, the entire hierarchy shifts.

The WPL has grown from a novelty to a global showcase. In 2023, the total purse was ₹25.5 crore. Now, it’s ₹41.1 crore. The stakes? Higher than ever. And for the first time, an Indian woman — not an Australian legend or an English spinner — is poised to command the highest price. That’s not just a market shift. It’s cultural.