On November 27, 2023, in New Delhi, Deepthi Sharma made history not by taking a wicket or smashing a six—but by becoming the second most expensive Indian player in Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction history. Her former team, UP Warriors, used the Right to Match (RTM) card to reclaim her for ₹3.2 crore, outbidding Delhi Capitals in a dramatic final clash. It wasn’t just a high bid—it was the first time in WPL history that the RTM card was successfully deployed to retain a star player after releasing her. The twist? UP Warriors had let her go before the auction, thinking they could rebuild. They didn’t count on her value skyrocketing.
The RTM Card That Changed the Game
The RTM card was designed to give teams a last-ditch chance to keep their core players. But until now, it had been a theoretical tool—unused, untested. Deepthi Sharma’s case changed everything. Her base price was ₹50 lakh. Delhi Capitals opened bidding at that figure. Slowly, the numbers climbed. ₹70 lakh. ₹1 crore. ₹2 crore. By the time Delhi Capitals dropped their final bid at ₹3.2 crore, the auction house fell silent. Then UP Warriors raised their hand. RTM activated. Matched. Claimed."It felt like watching a chess match where the queen just moved three squares and checkmated the whole board," said one veteran WPL commentator. "They didn’t just outbid—they outthought."
Why Deepthi Sharma? The Numbers Don’t Lie
Deepthi Sharma isn’t just a good all-rounder. She’s a match-winner. In the 2022 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup held in India, she was named Player of the Tournament—outperforming even the star batters and frontline bowlers. Her 17 wickets and 246 runs in 8 matches were the engine behind India’s run to the final. That performance didn’t fade. It amplified.Her 2023 WPL price tag was ₹2.6 crore. This year? ₹3.2 crore. A 23% jump in just 12 months. She’s now the second most expensive Indian woman cricketer in WPL history, trailing only Smriti Mandhana, who Royal Challengers Bangalore bought for ₹3.4 crore in 2023. But here’s the kicker: Deepthi’s price rose despite being released. Most players lose value when they’re let go. She gained it.
UP Warriors’ Big Bet: ₹14.35 Crore Spent, One Goal
UP Warriors didn’t stop at Deepthi. They spent ₹2.4 crore on Shikha Pandey, making her the third most expensive Indian woman in WPL history. They also retained only one player from last season—Shweta Sahrawat. Their total spend: ₹14.35 crore. That’s nearly half their entire budget on just two players."We didn’t want to rebuild," said UP Warriors’ head coach, Sumit Sharma, Deepthi’s brother. "We wanted to reinforce. She’s the heartbeat of this team. When she’s in rhythm, the whole unit rises." He added, "Her leadership, her calm under pressure—that’s not something you can buy in an auction. But you can pay for it."
Who Else Made Waves?
The auction wasn’t just about Deepthi. Amelia Kerr, New Zealand’s spin wizard, went to Mumbai Indians for ₹3 crore—the most expensive overseas player this year. Sophie Devine joined Gujarat Giants for ₹2 crore. And Ellyse Perry, Australia’s superstar, remained unsold—a rare slip for a player of her caliber.Eleven players crossed the ₹1 crore mark. Six Indian women cracked the top 10. And for the first time, the auction didn’t just reflect market value—it reflected loyalty. Teams aren’t just buying talent anymore. They’re buying legacy.
What This Means for Women’s Cricket
The RTM card’s successful use signals a turning point. For years, women’s cricket has been seen as a stepping stone—players moved teams, leagues, and countries for better pay. Now, franchises are investing in emotional ties. Deepthi’s return to UP Warriors wasn’t just about stats. It was about identity. She led them to the playoffs in 2023. They remember. And they paid for it.India’s women’s cricket is no longer a side story. It’s the headline. The WPL auction isn’t just a transaction—it’s a cultural moment. ₹3.2 crore for a woman who plays in a country where girls still struggle to get access to proper cricket academies? That’s not just money. It’s a message.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the RTM card work in WPL?
The Right to Match (RTM) card allows a team that released a player before the auction to match the highest bid for that player, keeping them without spending an additional bid. The team must activate RTM before the auctioneer confirms the sale. Only one RTM card can be used per team per auction. Deepthi Sharma’s case was the first successful use in WPL history.
Why did UP Warriors release Deepthi Sharma before the auction?
UP Warriors released her to free up salary cap space and rebuild their squad around younger talent. They assumed her base price of ₹50 lakh would keep her affordable. But her market surged after her standout performance in the 2022 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, making her too valuable to lose—hence the RTM move.
Who is now the most expensive Indian player in WPL history?
Smriti Mandhana holds the record, bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹3.4 crore in the 2023 WPL auction. Deepthi Sharma’s ₹3.2 crore deal makes her the second-most expensive Indian player, just ₹20 lakh behind. Both players are all-rounders, highlighting the premium placed on versatile talent in women’s T20 cricket.
How does Deepthi Sharma’s price compare to overseas players in WPL 2026?
Deepthi Sharma’s ₹3.2 crore is tied with Australia’s Ash Gardner (bought in 2023) and matches the price of New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr, who was bought by Mumbai Indians this year. She’s now the most expensive Indian player ever, matching the top overseas bids—a sign that Indian talent is now valued equally, if not more, than international stars.
What impact will this have on future WPL auctions?
Teams will now take RTM cards more seriously. Players who perform well in international tournaments may be retained even if initially released. The value of Indian players is rising faster than ever, and franchises are realizing that loyalty and consistency matter as much as raw stats. Expect more RTM moves and fewer bargains for star Indian players in future auctions.
Is ₹3.2 crore a fair price for Deepthi Sharma?
Considering her 17 wickets and 246 runs in the 2022 World Cup, her leadership as former UP Warriors captain, and her ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes games, yes. She’s a finisher, a death-over specialist, and a fielding ace. In a league where match-winners command premiums, ₹3.2 crore is a bargain—especially when you factor in her ability to inspire teammates and draw crowds.