When Deepti Sharma stepped onto the field during the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, few expected her to carry India to the final on the back of her all-round brilliance. But she did — 22 wickets, 215 runs, Player of the Tournament. And when the WPL 2026 Mega AuctionMumbai concluded on November 27, 2025, the UP Warriorz didn’t just re-sign her — they paid a record-breaking Rs 3.2 crore to bring her back, using their Right to Match card. It wasn’t just a bid. It was a statement.
A New Chapter for UP Warriorz
Before the auction, UP Warriorz had made a bold, almost shocking move: they released global stars like Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, and Tahlia McGrath. Even India’s own Kranti Gaud was let go. Their reasoning? A clean slate. "We’re not turning our backs on anyone," said Abhishek Nayar, Head Coach of UP Warriorz. "But this team needs a new identity. Deepti isn’t just a player — she’s the spine of what we’re building."
Their COO, Kshemal Waingankar, confirmed the strategy: "We had Rs 14.5 crore and four RTM cards. We didn’t want to just buy names. We wanted to build a unit that wins under pressure. And who better than the player who carried India through the World Cup?"
The Auction That Broke the Mold
The WPL 2026 auction wasn’t just about Deepti. It was a chess match. Of 277 players vying for 73 spots, franchises spent a staggering Rs 40.8 crore. Meg Lanning went to UP Warriorz for Rs 1.9 crore after a tense battle with Delhi Capitals. Sophie Ecclestone, despite being expected to fetch over Rs 2 crore, was reclaimed by UP Warriorz for Rs 85 lakh — a masterstroke. The team also added Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield for Rs 1.2 crore and Indian power-hitter Kiran Navgire.
But the real story was in the Indian stars. Nallapureddy Shree Charani, who scored 112 runs in the World Cup and took four wickets in WPL 2025, was snapped up by Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.3 crore. Renuka Singh Thakur, a key figure in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 2024 title win, went to Gujarat Giants for Rs 60 lakh after a fierce bidding war. And then there was Pratika Rawal — India’s second-highest run-scorer in the World Cup with 308 runs — who entered the auction at Rs 50 lakh but went unsold. Her value? Still rising.
Who Got Left Behind?
Not every star found a home. Trisha, the 18-year-old who led India’s U19 team to the Asia Cup title in December 2024, went unsold for hours — then was picked up by UP Warriorz for just Rs 10 lakh. A gamble? Maybe. But with her raw talent and hunger, she could be the next breakout star.
Even some experienced campaigners missed out. Sneh Rana, who had been a consistent performer for Delhi Capitals over three seasons, was reacquired for Rs 65 lakh. Ankita Raina, another familiar face from Delhi, went to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 75 lakh. But the real surprise? Only 10 of India’s 15 World Cup-winning players were even put up for auction. The rest? Retained. The market, it seems, is crowded — and selective.
Why This Matters Beyond the Auction
What UP Warriorz did wasn’t just about spending. It was about timing. Deepti Sharma’s World Cup performance didn’t just make her valuable — it made her iconic. In a league that’s still fighting for equal visibility, her sale signals something deeper: that Indian women cricketers are no longer just assets. They’re the face of the sport.
And the numbers don’t lie. Rs 3.2 crore for a woman who’s never played a full WPL season before? That’s more than what many overseas stars command. It’s a shift. The WPL isn’t just growing. It’s redefining its hierarchy.
What’s Next?
The WPL 2026 season kicks off in early March 2026. UP Warriorz will play their home matches in Lucknow, where expectations are already sky-high. With Deepti leading the charge, backed by Lanning, Ecclestone, and a hungry young core, they’re not just contenders — they’re favorites. But here’s the twist: can they handle the pressure? The last time UP Warriorz reached the final, they collapsed in the last over. This time, they’ve built a team with grit. Now, they need to prove they can finish.
Meanwhile, other franchises are recalibrating. Delhi Capitals, who lost Deepti but gained Shree Charani and Sneh Rana, are banking on spin-heavy depth. Gujarat Giants, with Sophie Devine and Renuka Singh Thakur, are looking to dominate the middle overs. And Royal Challengers Bengaluru? They’re quietly rebuilding around their core — and hoping the next World Cup star emerges from their academy.
Behind the Numbers
- 277 players entered the auction; only 73 were signed.
- UP Warriorz spent Rs 8.5 crore on just five players: Sharma, Lanning, Ecclestone, Litchfield, and Navgire.
- Deepti Sharma’s Rs 3.2 crore bid is the highest ever for an Indian woman in WPL history.
- Over Rs 25 crore was spent on Indian players — a 42% increase from WPL 2025.
- Only 3 of the 15 World Cup-winning Indians were retained by their previous franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did UP Warriorz release so many star players before the auction?
UP Warriorz released players like Alyssa Healy and Sophie Ecclestone to free up salary cap space and gain strategic flexibility. With four Right to Match cards and a Rs 14.5 crore purse, they prioritized rebuilding around Indian talent, especially Deepti Sharma, whose World Cup performance made her the centerpiece of their new strategy. The move was less about letting go and more about reorienting the team’s identity.
How does Deepti Sharma’s Rs 3.2 crore sale compare to other WPL records?
Deepti Sharma’s Rs 3.2 crore bid is the highest ever for an Indian woman in WPL history, surpassing the previous record of Rs 2.8 crore paid to Harmanpreet Kaur in 2023. Globally, only Amelia Kerr (Rs 3 crore) and Sophie Devine (Rs 2 crore) have commanded higher prices — but Sharma is the first Indian all-rounder to break the Rs 3 crore barrier, signaling a major shift in how Indian talent is valued in the league.
Why didn’t more World Cup winners get bought?
Of the 15 players from India’s 2025 World Cup-winning squad, only 10 were auctioned — the rest were retained by their franchises. The auction pool was overcrowded with 277 players, and teams had limited slots and budgets. Many players, especially those with lower WPL exposure, were overlooked despite strong World Cup performances. Pratika Rawal, for example, went unsold despite scoring 308 runs — showing that past WPL performance still heavily influences bids.
What impact will UP Warriorz’s strategy have on the WPL’s future?
UP Warriorz’s focus on Indian stars, particularly Deepti Sharma, sets a new precedent: franchises may now prioritize homegrown talent over overseas stars if they deliver in global tournaments. This could encourage more investment in domestic circuits and youth development. If UP Warriorz wins the 2026 title, expect other teams to follow suit — making the WPL less of a global showcase and more of a platform for Indian excellence.