The 2026 Women’s IPL auction delivered high drama, fierce bidding and historic financial figures as teams collectively spent ₹40.80 crore to strengthen their squads. Held in New Delhi, the auction concluded with 67 players being signed, including 23 internationals. But the highlight was the emergence of 11 crorepati players—each crossing the ₹1 crore threshold.
Below is a structured breakdown of the top earners:
List of Crorepati Players
| Player | Country | Team | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | India | UP Warriors | ₹3.20 crore |
| Amelia Kerr | New Zealand | Mumbai Indians | ₹3 crore |
| Shikha Pandey | India | UP Warriors | ₹2.40 crore |
| Remaining 8 players | Various | Various | Between ₹1–2 crore |
The bidding war truly ignited when Deepti Sharma’s name came up. Multiple teams entered the fray, but UP Warriors aggressively pushed her price to ₹3.20 crore—making her the costliest player of the auction. Analysts believe she will remain central to the team’s strategy due to her all-round potential.
Amelia Kerr, one of the brightest young talents in world cricket, drew equal excitement. Mumbai Indians allocated more than half of their purse to secure her for ₹3 crore. Given her consistency in both batting and leg-spin bowling, it was an investment they were willing to make.
Shikha Pandey also enjoyed a remarkable payday at ₹2.40 crore. Despite not being in India’s regular playing XI recently, her experience and swing bowling remain highly valued in franchise cricket.
However, several big names suffered unexpected setbacks. Alyssa Healy, a marquee star and one of the world’s top wicketkeeper-batters, shockingly went unsold. The decision stunned many observers. Heather Knight and Amy Jones also failed to attract bids, raising questions about teams’ tactical priorities and squad composition.
Bangladesh’s young fast bowler Marufa Akter also missed out, though experts believe her time will come as she continues to mature and refine her game.
The auction results underline a major shift in women’s cricket—commercial value is rising, teams are becoming more strategic, and young all-rounders are in higher demand than ever before. The 11 crorepati players stand as symbols of this transformation, marking yet another milestone in the journey of women’s cricket worldwide.
