When Deepti Sharma stepped onto the auction stage in New Delhi on November 27, 2025, the room went silent — then erupted. The UP Warriorz had just outbid every other franchise for the ODI World Cup Player of the Tournament, paying a staggering ₹12.8 crore. That’s not just a record for the TATA Women’s Premier League New Delhi. It’s the highest price ever paid for any woman cricketer in a franchise auction worldwide. And it wasn’t even the only jaw-dropping moment.
Why This Auction Changed Everything
The TATA Women’s Premier League New Delhi wasn’t just another player draft. It was the first major sporting event in India after the country’s historic ODI World Cup win in November 2025. That victory — India’s first in 27 years — didn’t just lift national spirits. It redefined market value. Players who were once considered solid mid-tier talents suddenly became gold mines. Shree Charani, the left-arm spinner who bowled the death overs in the final, went for ₹9.4 crore. Amelia Kerr, New Zealand’s 21-year-old all-rounder, fetched ₹8.7 crore despite never playing in the WPL before. And then there was Meg Lanning. Retired from international cricket, yes — but still, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru paid ₹7.9 crore for her. Why? Because in T20s, she’s still the best in the world.Here’s the thing: this auction wasn’t about filling slots. It was about building dynasties.
The Purse War: UP Warriorz vs. The Rest
UP Warriorz entered with ₹14.50 crore — more than double what Delhi Capitals had left (₹5.70 crore). That gap wasn’t accidental. After last season’s disappointing campaign, UP’s owners poured money into this auction like they were buying stock in a startup before IPO. And it paid off. They didn’t just buy Deepti. They also grabbed Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s explosive opener who smashed back-to-back centuries in the World Cup semifinal and final. They even secured Nadine de Klerk, the pace bowler who took 12 wickets in the T20 World Cup. Three stars. One team. ₹41.2 crore spent.Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals were handcuffed. No Right to Match cards. No financial breathing room. They had to pick their battles. They went for Georgia Voll, Australia’s explosive opener, for ₹4.2 crore — a steal, some say. But they missed out on Sophie Ecclestone, England’s world No. 1 spinner, who went to Gujarat Giants for ₹7.1 crore. Delhi’s GM later admitted: "We had to choose between a superstar and depth. We chose depth. We hope it’s enough."
Who Got Left Behind — And Why It Matters
The absence of Right to Match cards for Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals was the quiet story of the auction. In past seasons, those cards let teams protect their core players. This year? Gone. That means franchises had to bid blind — and risk losing their own stars to richer rivals. Kranti Gaud, the net bowler who became a national hero after taking 4 wickets in the World Cup final, was released by Mumbai Indians — and then snatched up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹5.8 crore. Mumbai’s fans were stunned. No RTM. No recourse.It’s a gamble. And it’s working — for some.
The Ripple Effect: What This Means for Indian Women’s Cricket
This auction didn’t just reshape teams. It reshaped the entire ecosystem. The average salary for an Indian player jumped 217% from WPL 2025 to 2026. A domestic player who earned ₹12 lakh last season? Now, she’s pulling in ₹3.5 crore. That’s not just money. That’s legitimacy. That’s visibility. That’s the difference between being a footnote and being a headline.And the ripple extends beyond the field. Cricket academies in Lucknow, Patna, and Indore are already reporting a 300% surge in girls signing up. Parents who once pushed their daughters toward engineering or medicine are now talking about net sessions and match fees. One mother in Bhopal told a reporter: "I used to say, ‘Play for fun.’ Now I say, ‘Play for the WPL.’"
What’s Next? The January 7 Kickoff
The TATA Women’s Premier League India season opens on January 7, 2026. But the real drama? The opening week. Will UP Warriorz dominate with their star-studded lineup? Can Gujarat Giants hold off the tide with Ecclestone and Alana King? And what about Royal Challengers Bengaluru — can they turn their expensive roster into a title?One thing’s certain: the WPL isn’t just a league anymore. It’s a movement. And New Delhi didn’t just host an auction. It lit the fuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Deepti Sharma the most expensive buy in WPL history?
Deepti Sharma’s ₹12.8 crore price tag reflects her dual role as an all-rounder and captaincy material after being named Player of the Tournament in India’s 2025 ODI World Cup win. She’s one of the few Indian women who can anchor an innings and break it open with spin — a rare skill set in T20s. Teams saw her as the missing link to build a title-winning core, especially after her leadership in crunch matches.
Why didn’t Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals use Right to Match cards?
Both franchises exhausted their RTM rights in the 2025 auction and chose not to retain them for 2026, likely to prioritize financial flexibility. This left them vulnerable during bidding wars. Their failure to protect key players like Kranti Gaud and others highlights a strategic misstep — one that could cost them in the playoffs if their new signings don’t gel quickly.
How did India’s ODI World Cup win impact WPL 2026 auction prices?
India’s World Cup victory elevated the market value of every Indian player who performed in the tournament. Players like Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud, and Deepti Sharma saw their base prices jump from ₹1.5–2 crore to ₹8–12 crore. Overseas teams, desperate to replicate India’s depth, bid aggressively. The win didn’t just create heroes — it created assets.
What’s the significance of UP Warriorz spending ₹41.2 crore?
That’s the highest total outlay by any franchise in WPL history. UP Warriorz didn’t just buy stars — they bought balance: three world-class batters, two top-tier spinners, and a lethal pace option. It’s a blueprint for a complete team. If they win the title, expect every other franchise to copy their strategy. If they fail? The league will face a reckoning over financial imbalance.
Is the WPL becoming more valuable than the IPL for women’s cricket?
In terms of player salaries and media attention, yes — already. The WPL 2026 auction generated over ₹120 crore in total bids, surpassing the 2025 IPL Women’s Auction. Broadcast deals are doubling. Sponsorship interest from global brands like Nike and Puma is surging. While the IPL remains larger overall, the WPL is now the most valuable women’s franchise league on the planet — and it’s growing faster.
Will the financial gap between franchises create imbalance in the league?
Absolutely. UP Warriorz spent nearly 2.5 times what Delhi Capitals did. That disparity could lead to predictable outcomes — one powerhouse team dominating, others struggling to compete. The BCCI may need to introduce a salary cap or revenue-sharing model soon, or risk turning the WPL into a two-team league. Fans want competition, not coronations.
