Historic WPL 2025 Auction Delivers Major Surprises
The Women's Premier League 2025 mega auction in New Delhi created waves across the cricketing world with a spectacular display of high-stakes bidding, emotional comebacks, and unexpected outcomes. India's World Cup star Deepti Sharma emerged as the biggest story of the day, commanding massive attention from franchises.
Record-Breaking Bids and Major Acquisitions
In a dramatic turn of events, UP Warriorz utilized their Right-to-Match (RTM) card to secure Deepti Sharma for Rs 3.2 crore, placing her among the highest-paid players in WPL history. This landmark deal makes her the joint second-most expensive player alongside international stars Ashleigh Gardner and Nat Sciver-Brunt, with only Smriti Mandhana having commanded a higher price.
The auction witnessed several other significant moves that reshaped team compositions. New Zealand's Amelia Kerr became the costliest overseas player at Rs 3 crore, making a triumphant return to Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, in one of the day's biggest shocks, Australian captain Alyssa Healy failed to find any takers and went unsold.
UP Warriorz strengthened their squad considerably by adding former Australian captain Meg Lanning for Rs 1.9 crore while retaining England's premier spinner Sophie Ecclestone, building what appears to be a formidable core for WPL Season 4.
Expert Analysis and Player Valuations
Cricket legends and analysts weighed in on the auction outcomes during the Match Centre Live Auction Special at JioStar. Former Indian captain Mithali Raj emphatically endorsed Deepti Sharma's valuation, stating: "Deepti Sharma fully deserved Rs 3.2 crore for her dual skills. She improved her strike rate last season and nearly won games single-handedly. Her bowling covers all three phases — powerplay, middle overs and death."
Renowned commentator Aakash Chopra praised UP Warriorz's strategic use of the RTM card while expressing surprise at Sophie Ecclestone's final price. "Sophie Ecclestone's price was a bit of a surprise. All the money went to batters and all-rounders. I expected her to cross 1 crore, but Warriorz executed their RTM in excellent fashion," Chopra observed.
Regarding Mumbai Indians' acquisition of Amelia Kerr, Chopra highlighted the franchise's clear philosophy: "I predicted she'd be the most expensive overseas player. Mumbai buying her back despite a limited purse shows their philosophy — retain champions."
Rising Stars and International Talent
The auction also provided a platform for emerging Indian talent to shine. World Cup hero Shree Charani secured a lucrative Rs 1.3 crore deal with Delhi Capitals, marking another success story from the Indian contingent.
Anjum Chopra celebrated Charani's rapid rise, noting: "From debut to World Cup winner in a year — this valuation is a reward for consistency and hard work."
Among other notable overseas signings, franchises invested heavily in international stars including Sophie Devine, Phoebe Litchfield, and Laura Wolvaardt, ensuring a strong global presence throughout the tournament.
Looking Ahead to WPL Season 4
With the auction concluded, attention now turns to the upcoming season. WPL Season 4 is scheduled to begin on January 9, culminating with the final on February 5. The strategic team compositions formed during this auction suggest an intensely competitive tournament ahead, with franchises having clearly identified their core strengths and key players.
The 2025 WPL auction has set the stage for what promises to be the most exciting season yet, combining established superstars with emerging talent in a format that continues to revolutionize women's cricket in India and beyond.
