The one thing that adds fuel to the IPL and WPL’s excitement is the player auction conducted before the new season kicks off.
Over the years, we have seen players receive huge bids at the IPL auction. And the same has happened at the WPL auction.
The young and thrilling WPL is following in the footsteps of the IPL, setting the tempo in the right direction. Many women cricketers have fetched astounding deals in the league that they wouldn’t have imagined before.
So, here are the top 10 most expensive players in WPL auction history.
1. Smriti Mandhana | 3.40 Cr to RCB, 2023
Smriti Mandhana was the first-ever player to go under the hammer. And she set the auction proceedings on fire.
Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) engaged in a fierce bidding battle to grab the stylish left-hander. But RCB had the last laugh as they fetched INR 3.40 crore for Mandhana.
The first-ever purchase in the WPL auction, and it went down in history as the most expensive buy!
2. Ashleigh Gardner | 3.20 Cr to GG, 2023
The Australian spin-bowling all-rounder was in high demand among the overseas players in the first auction.
MI engaged in yet another bidding war, this time with UP Warriorz (UPW). The bidding went from 50 lakh to 2.60 crore in no time.
But then Gujarat Giants (GG) swooped in at the last moment to snatch away Ashleigh Gardner from UPW. She made her way to the Giants, as they bought her for INR 3.20 crore.
3. Natalie Sciver-Brunt | 3.20 Cr to MI, 2023
Another all-rounder, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, garnered INR 3.20 crore as the winning bid.
There was a three-way battle to secure the English all-rounder. MI, as usual, opened the bid before Delhi Capitals (DC) jumped in.
It seemed like MI had her at INR 1.60 crore, but then UPW came in to double the bid. Finally, MI secured the services of the English all-rounder in the 2023 auction.
4. Deepti Sharma | 3.20 Cr to UPW, 2026
Deepti Sharma came off a dream World Cup campaign. So, she was definitely going to be among the big picks in the 2026 auction.
DC opened the bid at 50 lakh, with no other takers for her. So, DC had her for a moment before UPW used the Right-to-Match (RTM) card.
DC were then asked to raise the bid to secure her. Their offer was INR 3.20 crore. The Warriorz didn’t take too long to accept the bid and re-signed Deepti at INR 3.20 crore.
5. Amelia Kerr | 3 Cr to MI, 2026
MI often look to buy back their core players. And that’s what happened in the WPL 2026 auction.
Amelia Kerr had been a proven match-winner for MI in the first three seasons. And she even contributed to MI’s two WPL title victories in 2023 and 2025.
So, it was a no-brainer for MI to get Kerr back. Despite an intense battle with UPW, MI held their ground and bought Kerr at INR 3 crore.
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6. Deepti Sharma | 2.60 Cr to UPW, 2023
Before that 3 crore deal came in the 2026 auction, Deepti had a fairytale moment in the 2023 WPL auction.
Four teams showed interest in the Indian all-rounder. First, DC and GG battled over her before MI jumped in.
MI further took the bid up. But UPW made a late entry to spoil MI’s party. And the franchise based out of Deepti’s home state splurged INR 2.60 crores.
7. Shikha Pandey | 2.40 Cr to UPW, 2026
UPW lacked an experienced pacer in their lineup in the first three seasons. But they filled the gap by signing Shikha Pandey in the 2026 auction.
The signing, though, didn’t come easy. They were at loggerheads with RCB, who also wanted to have the Indian pacer in their lineup.
UPW stuck to their demand and forked out INR 2.40 crore to secure Pandey’s services.
8. Jemimah Rodrigues | 2.20 Cr to DC, 2023
Jemimah Rodrigues, who is always in a playful mood on the field, made three WPL teams go crazy to acquire her services.
UPW opened the bid at INR 50 lakh, while DC followed them right after. Their battle went on till INR 1.40 crore before MI pumped up the price to INR 2 crore.
DC, however, snapped up the Mumbai batter from MI’s clutches at INR 2.20 crore in the first auction.
9. Beth Mooney | 2 Cr to GG, 2023
Beth Mooney saw a four-way battle in the inaugural auction. RCB and MI were the first to engage in the paddle war, which went from INR 40 lakh to INR 1.30 crore.
Then DC dipped their toes at INR 1.40 crore and left the race. MI almost had Mooney, but GG made a late entry to take the bid to INR 2 crore to secure the Australian wicketkeeper-batter.
10. Shafali Verma | 2 Cr to DC, 2023
Shafali Verma was in a lot of demand in the inaugural auction. Three teams locked horns to get the Indian opening hitter.
DC opened the proceedings at INR 50 lakh, with RCB joining right after. The price doubled in no time, with MI entering to counter DC’s offer.
The battle went up to INR 2 crore when the hammer finally came down in DC’s favour. DC bolstered their opening slot by adding Shafali to their side.
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