The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auctionNew Delhi ended in a flurry of record bids and strategic surprises on Thursday, November 27, 2025. At the heart of the buzz? Kashvee Gautam, the Chandigarh-based all-rounder whose previous 2-crore rupee sale in 2024 now looks like a bargain. Franchises like Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants were reportedly circling her, with whispers suggesting she could become the first woman cricketer to cross the 3-crore mark in WPL history. Meanwhile, UP Warriorz didn’t just participate — they dominated, spending more than any other team and snapping up three of the top five most expensive players. This wasn’t just an auction. It was a power play.
Chandigarh’s Breakthrough Moment
For the first time ever, the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA) had four players shortlisted: Kashvee Gautam, Tania Bhatia, Nandini Sharma, and Monica Pandey. That’s a seismic shift from past auctions, where only Parushi Prabhakar and Aradhana Bisht had made the cut. The fact that multiple franchises showed serious interest signals a growing recognition of talent from non-traditional cricketing hubs. "It’s not just about having players on the list," said UTCA Secretary Dr. Sumit Singh Shyoran. "It’s about being seen as a pipeline for elite talent. This changes everything for young girls in Chandigarh who dream of wearing a WPL jersey."
Nandini Sharma, the wicketkeeper-batter, was picked up by Delhi Capitals at her base price of 20 lakh rupees — a quiet win for a team that already has a strong core. Tania Bhatia, who’s played for Delhi Capitals for three straight seasons, remained in the same camp, a sign of loyalty and consistency. Monica Pandey’s fate remains unconfirmed, but her presence on the shortlist alone is a milestone.
UP Warriorz: The Big Spenders
While others played chess, UP Warriorz played Monopoly. With a purse of 14.5 crore rupees — the largest among all five franchises — they went all-in. Their crown jewel? Deepti Sharma, bought for 3.2 crore rupees using a Right to Match card. That’s the highest price ever paid for a woman cricketer in WPL history. And they didn’t stop there. They also snapped up Shikha Pandey for 2.4 crore, Meg Lanning for 1.9 crore, and Aasha Sobhana for 1.1 crore. "They didn’t just buy players," noted a senior analyst from Jagran. "They bought depth, experience, and leadership. This team looks like a final four contender already."
What made this even more striking was the timing. UP Warriorz released Deepti Sharma just after the World Cup final — a calculated move that freed up cap space and created bidding chaos. Teams assumed she’d be available, only to watch UP Warriorz swoop in at the last moment. "It was psychological warfare," said one franchise official, speaking off-record. "They knew everyone would wait. And they waited longer."
Other Key Transactions and Surprises
Mumbai Indians countered with a bold move of their own, securing New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr for 3 crore rupees — the second-highest bid of the auction. Gujarat Giants brought in Australia’s Sophie Devine for 2 crore and Happy Kumari for 10 lakh, showing they’re building a balanced squad despite a smaller purse of 9 crore.
Delhi Capitals, with 5.7 crore rupees, focused on quality over quantity. They added Shree Charani and Chinelle Henry for 1.3 crore each, and Laura Wolvaardt for 1.1 crore — all proven performers. Their acquisition of Dia Yadav for just 10 lakh rupees was a steal, and they retained Tania Bhatia and Nandini Sharma, locking in continuity.
But not all stories ended happily. England’s Heather Knight, with a base price of 50 lakh rupees, went unsold — a stark reminder that even global stars aren’t immune to market shifts. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore used their Right to Match card to retain Premalata Rao after Gujarat Giants bid 20 lakh rupees, a move that surprised many given RCB’s traditionally conservative approach.
What This Means for WPL 2026
The auction didn’t just reshuffle teams — it redefined the league’s economics. With UP Warriorz spending nearly 11 crore rupees on just five players, the bar for player value has been reset. Teams now know: if you want to win, you need to invest early and aggressively. The 73 available slots across five franchises were fiercely contested, with 277 players — 194 Indian and 83 international — fighting for spots. Only 14% made the cut.
For Chandigarh, this auction is more than a success story — it’s a catalyst. With four players shortlisted and one potentially breaking records, the Union Territory Cricket Association is no longer an afterthought. It’s a talent factory. Coaches across India are already scouting academies in Punjab and Haryana, wondering what other hidden gems they’ve overlooked.
What’s Next?
Training camps begin in January 2026, with the season set to kick off in February. The real test will be how UP Warriorz’s heavy spending translates into on-field results. Can they carry the pressure? Will Delhi Capitals’ balanced squad outlast them? And will Kashvee Gautam, if she indeed breaks the 3-crore barrier, become the face of a new generation of Indian women cricketers from smaller states?
One thing’s clear: the WPL is no longer a sideshow. It’s the main event. And the players from Chandigarh? They’re not just participating anymore. They’re leading the charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kashvee Gautam become such a valuable player in such a short time?
Kashvee Gautam’s rise stems from her all-round consistency: she averages 32 with the bat and takes 1.8 wickets per match in WPL. Her ability to bowl tight death overs and finish innings under pressure made her indispensable. After her 2-crore purchase in 2024, her performance in the 2025 season — including a match-winning 56* off 38 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore — triggered renewed interest. Scouts now rate her as one of the top 5 all-rounders in women’s T20 cricket globally.
Why did UP Warriorz spend so much more than other teams?
UP Warriorz’s strategy was built on acquiring proven match-winners with international experience — Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning, and Shikha Pandey all have World Cup credentials. With a 14.5-crore purse (the largest), they prioritized depth over flexibility. Their goal isn’t just to qualify for playoffs — it’s to dominate them. They’ve invested in leadership, experience, and clutch performance, betting that these players will elevate the entire team’s ceiling.
What does this mean for smaller cricketing states like Chandigarh?
This auction marks a turning point. For the first time, four players from the Union Territory Cricket Association were in contention — and two were bought. This visibility attracts funding, infrastructure investment, and youth participation. Local academies are already reporting a 40% spike in girls registering for cricket programs. The message is clear: talent from anywhere can now reach the top. Chandigarh is no longer a footnote — it’s a destination.
Why was Heather Knight unsold despite her high base price?
Heather Knight’s 50-lakh base price was seen as too steep for her current role. Teams already had established captains and all-rounders, and her recent form in T20 leagues dipped slightly after the World Cup. With only 4 foreign slots per team, franchises prioritized explosive finishers or death bowlers over anchor batsmen. Knight’s style, while reliable, didn’t fit the aggressive, high-impact profile teams wanted this year.
How does the Right to Match card work in WPL auctions?
The Right to Match (RTM) card allows a team to retain a player they previously held by matching the highest bid. Once another team bids, the original team can choose to match that amount and keep the player — without using their own purse. UP Warriorz used it for Deepti Sharma, and RCB used it for Premalata Rao. It’s a strategic tool to protect core players without overspending, but it requires perfect timing and deep financial awareness.
What’s the difference between the 2026 and 2025 WPL auctions?
The 2026 auction had a higher purse ceiling, more foreign player slots, and an accelerated bidding format for top-tier players. Crucially, the number of Indian players shortlisted jumped from 178 in 2025 to 194 in 2026, reflecting deeper talent pools. UP Warriorz’s spending spree and the rise of Chandigarh’s players were unprecedented. The auction also saw more RTM usage, signaling teams are now playing a long-term game rather than just filling slots.