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The WPL 2026 mega auction delivered exactly what it promised, drama, strategy, and a flurry of high-profile bids that reshaped team compositions for the season ahead. With teams coming in with sharpened plans and deeper scouting, the top ten most expensive signings reflect both form and future potential. From seasoned internationals to rising Indian talent, the bidding battles revealed which players the franchises believe can tilt a season on their own. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Deepti Sharma (3.20 crores, UPW):</strong> UP Warriorz showed their intent early by retaining India’s premier all-rounder through a fierce RTM fight. Deepti’s value lies not just in her control with the ball but her increasingly assured lower-order batting. The 3.20-crore tag confirms her as one of the WPL’s most influential multi-dimensional players. She now steps into the season as the face of UPW’s rebuild and their most bankable performer. (BCCI Photo)

Deepti Sharma (3.20 crores, UPW): UP Warriorz showed their intent early by retaining India’s premier all-rounder through a fierce RTM fight. Deepti’s value lies not just in her control with the ball but her increasingly assured lower-order batting. The 3.20-crore tag confirms her as one of the WPL’s most influential multi-dimensional players. She now steps into the season as the face of UPW’s rebuild and their most bankable performer. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Amelia Kerr (3 crores, MI):</strong> Mumbai Indians went all-out to bring back their marquee Kiwi all-rounder, and few could question the decision. Kerr’s leg-spin, batting maturity, and unmatched consistency across formats make her a dream T20 asset. Reaching the 3-crore mark reiterates how centrally she features in MI’s long-term plans. The franchise will expect her to dominate both powerplay and middle overs with equal control. (BCCI Photo)

Amelia Kerr (3 crores, MI): Mumbai Indians went all-out to bring back their marquee Kiwi all-rounder, and few could question the decision. Kerr’s leg-spin, batting maturity, and unmatched consistency across formats make her a dream T20 asset. Reaching the 3-crore mark reiterates how centrally she features in MI’s long-term plans. The franchise will expect her to dominate both powerplay and middle overs with equal control. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Shikha Pandey (2.40 crores, UPW):</strong> UP Warriorz strengthened their pace department with a bold move for the veteran seamer. Shikha’s experience in high-pressure moments and her ability to swing the new ball made her a hot target. The sizeable bid underlines her resurgence and importance in the domestic circuit. With Deepti already in the mix, Shikha’s presence gives UPW real tactical flexibility.

Shikha Pandey (2.40 crores, UPW): UP Warriorz strengthened their pace department with a bold move for the veteran seamer. Shikha’s experience in high-pressure moments and her ability to swing the new ball made her a hot target. The sizeable bid underlines her resurgence and importance in the domestic circuit. With Deepti already in the mix, Shikha’s presence gives UPW real tactical flexibility.

<strong>Sophie Devine (2 crores, GG):</strong> Gujarat Giants secured one of the most explosive all-rounders in world cricket in Sophie Devine. Her devastating powerplay hitting and clever medium pace instantly elevate Gujarat’s balance. Reaching the 2-crore barrier shows the franchise is betting heavily on experience and big-match temperament. Devine’s leadership presence will be just as valuable as her on-field output. (X/cricketworldcup)

Sophie Devine (2 crores, GG): Gujarat Giants secured one of the most explosive all-rounders in world cricket in Sophie Devine. Her devastating powerplay hitting and clever medium pace instantly elevate Gujarat’s balance. Reaching the 2-crore barrier shows the franchise is betting heavily on experience and big-match temperament. Devine’s leadership presence will be just as valuable as her on-field output. (X/cricketworldcup)

<strong>Meg Lanning (1.90 crores, UPW):</strong> UPW’s acquisition of Meg Lanning was one of the evening’s headline moments. Despite stepping away from international cricket earlier, her tactical acumen and batting mastery remain second to none. The 1.90-crore investment is as much about leadership as runs. With Lanning in the dressing room, UPW instantly becomes a smarter, calmer, more dangerous outfit.

Meg Lanning (1.90 crores, UPW): UPW’s acquisition of Meg Lanning was one of the evening’s headline moments. Despite stepping away from international cricket earlier, her tactical acumen and batting mastery remain second to none. The 1.90-crore investment is as much about leadership as runs. With Lanning in the dressing room, UPW instantly becomes a smarter, calmer, more dangerous outfit.

<strong>Sree Charani (1.30 crores, DC):</strong> Delhi Capitals made one of the biggest Indian picks of the night with young Sree Charani. Her domestic rise has been rapid, and DC clearly believes she is ready for a breakout season. The 1.30-crore price tag is a statement of long-term faith in her skillset. She now enters the tournament as one of the Indian talents to watch closely. (BCCI Photo)

Sree Charani (1.30 crores, DC): Delhi Capitals made one of the biggest Indian picks of the night with young Sree Charani. Her domestic rise has been rapid, and DC clearly believes she is ready for a breakout season. The 1.30-crore price tag is a statement of long-term faith in her skillset. She now enters the tournament as one of the Indian talents to watch closely. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Chinelle Henry (1.30 crores, DC):</strong> DC doubled down on power and athleticism by securing West Indies’ Chinelle Henry. Her seam bowling and aggressive batting bring a needed dual skillset to the squad. Henry has impressed globally with her intensity and fearlessness in tight situations. Delhi’s investment reflects a clear desire for players who can change games in one over. (BCCI Photo)

Chinelle Henry (1.30 crores, DC): DC doubled down on power and athleticism by securing West Indies’ Chinelle Henry. Her seam bowling and aggressive batting bring a needed dual skillset to the squad. Henry has impressed globally with her intensity and fearlessness in tight situations. Delhi’s investment reflects a clear desire for players who can change games in one over. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Phoebe Litchfield (1.20 crores, UPW):</strong> UPW’s aggressive auction strategy continued with the acquisition of Australian prodigy Phoebe Litchfield. Her elegant batting and rapid growth in international cricket have made her a generational prospect. At just 1.20 crores, she may be one of the smartest buys of the auction. UPW now has a top-order player around whom they can build for years. (BCCI Photo)

Phoebe Litchfield (1.20 crores, UPW): UPW’s aggressive auction strategy continued with the acquisition of Australian prodigy Phoebe Litchfield. Her elegant batting and rapid growth in international cricket have made her a generational prospect. At just 1.20 crores, she may be one of the smartest buys of the auction. UPW now has a top-order player around whom they can build for years. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Laura Wolvaardt (1.10 crores, DC):</strong> Delhi Capitals added class and consistency by signing South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. One of the most technically sound batters in the women’s game, she brings stability to any top order. The 1.10-crore bid reflects her reliability in both anchoring and accelerating innings. DC will expect her to be the glue around which their batting revolves. (X/cricketworldcup)

Laura Wolvaardt (1.10 crores, DC): Delhi Capitals added class and consistency by signing South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. One of the most technically sound batters in the women’s game, she brings stability to any top order. The 1.10-crore bid reflects her reliability in both anchoring and accelerating innings. DC will expect her to be the glue around which their batting revolves. (X/cricketworldcup)

Asha Sobhana (1.10 crores, UPW): Asha Sobhana’s rise continues with another major auction milestone. UPW’s move for her adds a wicket-taking wrist-spin option, something every T20 side values highly. Her control, guile, and fearless approach caught the attention of multiple teams before UPW won out. At 1.10 crores, Asha stands as one of the biggest Indian spin stories of the season ahead. (BCCI Photo)

Asha Sobhana (1.10 crores, UPW): Asha Sobhana’s rise continues with another major auction milestone. UPW’s move for her adds a wicket-taking wrist-spin option, something every T20 side values highly. Her control, guile, and fearless approach caught the attention of multiple teams before UPW won out. At 1.10 crores, Asha stands as one of the biggest Indian spin stories of the season ahead. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Deepti Sharma (3.20 crores, UPW):</strong> UP Warriorz showed their intent early by retaining India’s premier all-rounder through a fierce RTM fight. Deepti’s value lies not just in her control with the ball but her increasingly assured lower-order batting. The 3.20-crore tag confirms her as one of the WPL’s most influential multi-dimensional players. She now steps into the season as the face of UPW’s rebuild and their most bankable performer. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Amelia Kerr (3 crores, MI):</strong> Mumbai Indians went all-out to bring back their marquee Kiwi all-rounder, and few could question the decision. Kerr’s leg-spin, batting maturity, and unmatched consistency across formats make her a dream T20 asset. Reaching the 3-crore mark reiterates how centrally she features in MI’s long-term plans. The franchise will expect her to dominate both powerplay and middle overs with equal control. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Shikha Pandey (2.40 crores, UPW):</strong> UP Warriorz strengthened their pace department with a bold move for the veteran seamer. Shikha’s experience in high-pressure moments and her ability to swing the new ball made her a hot target. The sizeable bid underlines her resurgence and importance in the domestic circuit. With Deepti already in the mix, Shikha’s presence gives UPW real tactical flexibility.

<strong>Sophie Devine (2 crores, GG):</strong> Gujarat Giants secured one of the most explosive all-rounders in world cricket in Sophie Devine. Her devastating powerplay hitting and clever medium pace instantly elevate Gujarat’s balance. Reaching the 2-crore barrier shows the franchise is betting heavily on experience and big-match temperament. Devine’s leadership presence will be just as valuable as her on-field output. (X/cricketworldcup)

<strong>Meg Lanning (1.90 crores, UPW):</strong> UPW’s acquisition of Meg Lanning was one of the evening’s headline moments. Despite stepping away from international cricket earlier, her tactical acumen and batting mastery remain second to none. The 1.90-crore investment is as much about leadership as runs. With Lanning in the dressing room, UPW instantly becomes a smarter, calmer, more dangerous outfit.

<strong>Sree Charani (1.30 crores, DC):</strong> Delhi Capitals made one of the biggest Indian picks of the night with young Sree Charani. Her domestic rise has been rapid, and DC clearly believes she is ready for a breakout season. The 1.30-crore price tag is a statement of long-term faith in her skillset. She now enters the tournament as one of the Indian talents to watch closely. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Chinelle Henry (1.30 crores, DC):</strong> DC doubled down on power and athleticism by securing West Indies’ Chinelle Henry. Her seam bowling and aggressive batting bring a needed dual skillset to the squad. Henry has impressed globally with her intensity and fearlessness in tight situations. Delhi’s investment reflects a clear desire for players who can change games in one over. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Phoebe Litchfield (1.20 crores, UPW):</strong> UPW’s aggressive auction strategy continued with the acquisition of Australian prodigy Phoebe Litchfield. Her elegant batting and rapid growth in international cricket have made her a generational prospect. At just 1.20 crores, she may be one of the smartest buys of the auction. UPW now has a top-order player around whom they can build for years. (BCCI Photo)

<strong>Laura Wolvaardt (1.10 crores, DC):</strong> Delhi Capitals added class and consistency by signing South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. One of the most technically sound batters in the women’s game, she brings stability to any top order. The 1.10-crore bid reflects her reliability in both anchoring and accelerating innings. DC will expect her to be the glue around which their batting revolves. (X/cricketworldcup)

Asha Sobhana (1.10 crores, UPW): Asha Sobhana’s rise continues with another major auction milestone. UPW’s move for her adds a wicket-taking wrist-spin option, something every T20 side values highly. Her control, guile, and fearless approach caught the attention of multiple teams before UPW won out. At 1.10 crores, Asha stands as one of the biggest Indian spin stories of the season ahead. (BCCI Photo)

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