WPL Auction 2026: Deepti Sharma gets second-biggest fee but Alyssa Healy is unsold

Indian player Deepti Sharma fetched the second-highest price in the history of the Women’s Super League, but Australian captain Alyssa Healy went unsold at the 2026 auction.

Deepti, 28, is returning to UP Warriorz for INR 3.2 crore (about £272,000), just shy of the record INR 3.4 crore paid by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for India opener Smriti Mandhana in 2023.

Healy, 35, was the only unsold player in the opening pool, with England’s Sophie Ecclestone returning to UP Warriorz for INR 85,000 (about £75,000).

New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr was the second most expensive signing of the day, returning to two-time champions Mumbai Indians for INR 3 crore (about £226,000).

Australian Meg Lanning has also joined the Warriors, while South Africa captain Laura Wolfhardt has gone to Delhi Capitals, although she is unlikely to take on the same role there, with the co-owner saying they would prefer an Indian captain.

England seamer Lauren Bell and spinner Lynsey Smith have been signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while batter Danny White-Hodge has joined Gujarat Giants.

Indian bowler Shikha Pandey was the surprise beneficiary of the third-largest contract in the auction, going for INR 2.4 crore to Warriorz.

Other Indian players selected include Warriorz-signed batsmen Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal and seamer Kranti Goud, while spinner Shree Charani has joined the Capitals.

Heather Knight, Amy Jones and Sophia Dunkley were among the England players not selected.

Captain Nat Shaver-Brent was the only English player retained for next year’s tournament, with Australian Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner retained among other foreign players.

The tournament will be held earlier than usual, from January 9 to February 5.