World Cup winner Deepti Sharma was re-signed by UP Warriorz for Rs. 3.2 crore at the WPL 2026 Auction in New Delhi on Thursday after a dramatic Right to Match (RTM) standoff with Delhi Capitals.
The bidding initially moved at a subdued pace before Delhi Capitals appeared set to secure the all-rounder for Rs. 50 lakh. At that stage, UP Warriorz, Deepti’s former franchise, exercised the RTM option. DC then escalated the contest, driving the price up to Rs. 3.2 crore, a figure that UP Warriorz eventually matched to retain the India star. Deepti, for now, is the second-most expensive Indian player, trailing teammate Smriti Mandhana, who was signed by RCB for Rs 3.4 crore.
Released by UP Warriorz ahead of the mega auction, the spin-bowling all-rounder had led the franchise last season in the absence of injured Australia skipper Alyssa Healy.
Deepti entered the auction on a high after being named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, where she played a pivotal role in India’s title-winning campaign. She finished the tournament with 215 runs and 22 wickets, including a match-defining half-century and a five-wicket haul in the final against South Africa.
Across three WPL seasons, Deepti has scored 507 runs and claimed 27 wickets in 25 matches.
Published on Nov 27, 2025
