The Women’s Premier League has turned women’s cricket on its head. Ever since it kicked off in 2023, teams have thrown serious cash at signing the best players from across the globe. You’ll spot big names from India, Australia, England, and New Zealand all playing in the same league.
Smriti Mandhana broke records when RCB picked her up for ₹3.40 crore in 2023, the highest price anyone’s paid for a player in a WPL auction so far. And the 2026 mega auction, which brought even bigger bids for stars like Deepti Sharma and Amelia Kerr. Here’s a look at the top 10 most expensive players in WPL auction history.
Top 10 Most Expensive Players in WPL Auction
Here are the top 10 Most Expensive Players in WPL:
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Auction Price | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana | India | ₹3.40 Cr | RCB | 2023 |
| 2 | Deepti Sharma | India | ₹3.20 Cr | UP Warriorz | 2026 |
| 3 | Ashleigh Gardner | Australia | ₹3.20 Cr | Gujarat Giants | 2023 |
| 4 | Nat Sciver-Brunt | England | ₹3.20 Cr | Mumbai Indians | 2023 |
| 5 | Amelia Kerr | New Zealand | ₹3.00 Cr | Mumbai Indians | 2026 |
| 6 | Shikha Pandey | India | ₹2.40 Cr | UP Warriorz | 2026 |
| 7 | Jemimah Rodrigues | India | ₹2.20 Cr | Delhi Capitals | 2023 |
| 8 | Shafali Verma | India | ₹2.00 Cr | Delhi Capitals | 2023 |
| 9 | Annabel Sutherland | Australia | ₹2.00 Cr | Delhi Capitals | 2024 |
| 10 | Kashvee Gautam | India | ₹2.00 Cr | Gujarat Giants | 2024 |
Player Profiles
Here is the detailed Information about the top 10 most expensive Players in WPL History:
1. Smriti Mandhana (₹3.40 Cr)
Smriti Mandhana made headlines in 2023 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru snapped her up for a record-breaking price at the WPL auction. She’s not just their captain, she leads from the front as an opener, mixing power with grace every time she steps out to bat.
Mandhana’s got a real knack for hammering runs through the offside, and she loves making the most of the powerplay, scoring fast and putting the pressure right back on the bowlers. With her steady leadership and all that international experience, she’s become the backbone of RCB, giving the team its spark and a sense of calm when it matters.
2. Deepti Sharma (₹3.20 Cr)
Deepti Sharma ended up as the biggest name at the 2026 WPL mega auction, and UP Warriorz didn’t hesitate; they used their Right to Match card to keep her. She’s reliable, both with the ball and the bat.
Whether she’s sending down steady off-spin or stepping up in the middle order, Deepti just gets the job done. She reads the game so well, always seems to know what’s needed, and adapts on the fly. Honestly, she’s right at the heart of the UP Warriorz squad now. The jump in her contract says it all; she’s becoming a real force in women’s T20 cricket.
3. Ashleigh Gardner (₹3.20 Cr)
Gujarat Giants picked up Ashleigh Gardner for ₹3.20 crore in the first WPL auction back in 2023. She’s an Australian all-rounder who mixes big hitting with sharp off-spin, which isn’t something you see every day.
In the middle overs, she stands out; she breaks up stubborn partnerships with the ball and can suddenly push the scoring rate when she’s batting. Plus, she’s quick and alert in the field, which only makes Gujarat’s lineup more challenging.
4. Nat Sciver-Brunt (₹3.20 Cr)
Mumbai Indians snapped up Nat Sciver-Brunt for ₹3.20 crore in the first WPL auction, and honestly, she’s been a game-changer ever since. She steps up with the bat, whether it’s early or in the middle, and delivers with the ball when it matters most.
There’s a steadiness about her; she just doesn’t get rattled, even when the game’s on the line. With all that international experience, she gives Mumbai Indians the kind of control and confidence you want in challenging moments.
5. Amelia Kerr (₹3.00 Cr)
Amelia Kerr turned out to be the most expensive overseas pick at the 2026 auction, with Mumbai Indians holding onto her after a fierce bidding war. She’s a New Zealand all-rounder, famous for her sharp leg-spin and calm, clever batting in the middle order.
Season after season, she’s played a big part in Mumbai’s success, bringing both skill and flexibility to the team. Even when the pitch gets tricky, she finds a way to make an impact. That’s what makes her so valuable.
6. Shikha Pandey (₹2.40 Cr)
Shikha Pandey turned heads at the 2026 auction when UP Warriorz picked her up for ₹2.40 crore. She’s a seasoned fast bowler, famous for swinging the ball and staying sharp in both the powerplay and the tense final overs.
Over the years, she’s built a reputation as one of the most dependable Indian bowlers in WPL history. Plus, her calm presence and smart game sense give the team a real boost in leadership on the field.
7. Jemimah Rodrigues (₹2.20 Cr)
Delhi Capitals grabbed Jemimah Rodrigues for ₹2.20 crore in the 2023 auction, and since then, she’s been at the heart of their batting lineup.
Most of the time, you’ll find her in the middle order, always busy, nudging singles, punching the ball into gaps, never letting the scoring slow down. She’s got this knack for switching gears, whether she needs to steady things or go on the attack. Plus, she lights up the field with her energy and sharp fielding.
8. Shafali Verma (₹2.00 Cr)
Delhi Capitals snapped up Shafali Verma for ₹2 crore in the first-ever WPL auction. She doesn’t mess around at the top of the order. Shafali goes hard from ball one, swinging big and forcing bowlers onto the back foot right away.
That kind of aggression can flip a match in just a few overs. She’s still really young, but you wouldn’t know it from the way she plays. Shafali’s already become one of the league’s most dangerous batters.
9. Annabel Sutherland (₹2.00 Cr)
Annabel Sutherland signed with the Delhi Capitals in 2024 for ₹2 crore. She’s an Australian all-rounder who brings real pace with the ball and can smash runs down the order when it counts.
Sutherland stands out because she knows how to deliver when the pressure’s on, maybe it’s grabbing a big wicket, maybe it’s closing out an innings with the bat. Thanks to her height, she gets extra bounce, making her difficult to face, especially on faster pitches.
10. Kashvee Gautam (₹2.00 Cr)
Kashvee Gautam grabbed everyone’s attention in 2024 when the Gujarat Giants picked her up as the priciest uncapped player the WPL had ever seen. She turned heads with her raw pace, sharp accuracy, and that knack for moving the ball just when batters least expect it.
Sure, an injury kept her off the field that season, but people still talk about her as one of India’s most exciting young fast bowlers. Fans and scouts are keeping a close eye on her, she’s got all the makings of the next big thing in Indian pace bowling.
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Conclusion: Smriti Mandhana Remains the Most Expensive Player in WPL History!
The Women’s Premier League has turned women’s cricket on its head. Ever since it kicked off in 2023, teams have thrown serious cash at signing the best players from across the globe. You’ll spot big names from India, Australia, England, and New Zealand all playing in the same league.
Smriti Mandhana broke records when RCB picked her up for ₹3.40 crore in 2023, the highest price anyone’s paid for a player in a WPL auction so far. And the 2026 mega auction, which brought even bigger bids for stars like Deepti Sharma and Amelia Kerr. Here’s a look at the top 10 most expensive players in WPL auction history.
