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WPL Mega Auction: Franchises Spend Big, Deepti Tops at ₹3.20 Crore

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 555

The first mega auction of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), held in New Delhi on Thursday, marked a watershed moment for women’s cricket in India, showcasing both financial muscle and rising global interest in the league. Out of 276 shortlisted players, only 128 entered the final auction pool, yet the event saw intense bidding wars and strategic team building across all five franchises.

Record-Breaking Buy: Deepti Sharma Becomes Costliest Player

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma emerged as the marquee signing of the auction. The Uttar Pradesh Warriors secured her services for a staggering ₹3.20 crore, making her the most expensive player of the day. The high-value purchase underscores her growing stature as one of India’s most bankable all-rounders and highlights the franchises’ shift towards building teams around versatile performers.

High-Value Bidding Trend

A total of 11 players crossed the ₹1 crore mark, signalling a strong market for elite cricketing talent. The demand for impactful all-rounders and foreign match-winners remained evident throughout the auction.

Major Spending: Indian vs Foreign Talent

The auction collectively saw an expenditure of ₹40.80 crore.

  • Indian players drew ₹21.65 crore, amounting to 53% of total spending — a clear indicator of the growing trust in domestic talent.

  • Foreign players accounted for ₹19.15 crore, representing 46% of the purse utilisation, reflecting franchises’ desire to blend global experience with homegrown skills.

Team Purses and Strategic Balance

In total, 67 players were signed — 44 Indians and 23 overseas players — showcasing a balanced squad-building approach across the teams.
At the end of the auction, franchises collectively saved ₹30 lakh, with Gujarat Giants and Uttar Pradesh Warriors retaining ₹15 lakh each in their purses.

A New Era for Women’s Cricket

The inaugural WPL mega auction not only emphasized the commercial growth of the women’s game but also highlighted how franchises are investing strategically to strengthen squad depth. As the league moves closer to kick-off, the mix of domestic rising stars and globally recognized talent promises a competitive and high-impact season ahead.