From Mumbai to Making History: The Mallika Sagar Story
Mallika Sagar, born in Mumbai in 1975, has shattered glass ceilings in the auction world by becoming the first female auctioneer in Indian Premier League history. Her remarkable career spans both prestigious art auctions and high-profile sports events, establishing her as a pioneering figure in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Educational Foundation and Early Inspiration
The Mumbai-born business family descendant discovered her passion for auctioneering through an unlikely source - a book featuring a female auctioneer protagonist. This literary encounter sparked a journey that would take her from Mumbai to Connecticut for her early education, eventually earning an art history degree from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia.
Her professional journey began in 2001 at the prestigious Sotheby's London, where she specialized in Indian and South Asian art. At just 26 years old, Sagar achieved her first major breakthrough by becoming Christie's first Indian woman auctioneer in New York, focusing specifically on modern and contemporary Indian art.
International Experience Paves Way for Sports Dominance
After accumulating substantial international experience, Sagar returned to her roots in India, collaborating with prominent institutions like Mumbai's Pundole's Art Gallery. Her extensive expertise in art auctions provided the perfect foundation for her eventual transition into sports auctions.
The year 2021 marked her historic entry into sports auctioneering when she became the first female auctioneer for the Pro Kabaddi League. She continued breaking barriers by conducting the inaugural Women's Premier League auctions in 2023, further expanding her sports portfolio.
Cricket Breakthrough and IPL Revolution
Sagar's most significant cricket moment arrived during the IPL 2023 mini-auction when she stepped in to replace Hugh Edmeades following his mid-event collapse. This emergency substitution led to her landmark appointment as IPL's first woman auctioneer, where she successfully conducted both the IPL 2024 mini-auction and the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In 2025, she added another prestigious achievement to her growing portfolio by conducting the WPL 2026 auction, further cementing her position as the go-to professional for high-profile sports auctions.
Her extraordinary versatility spans across art, cricket, and kabaddi leagues, demonstrating exceptional professionalism in handling high-pressure auction environments. This diverse expertise has translated into significant financial success, with Sagar boasting an estimated net worth of INR 125 crore derived from auctioneering fees, endorsements, and her established position in elite auction circles.
Through her groundbreaking accomplishments, Mallika Sagar has become an inspirational figure in the global auctioneering community, representing the success of women in both arts and sports sectors while maintaining her Mumbai roots throughout her international career.
