With the WPL 2026 mega auction scheduled for November 27 in New Delhi, all eyes will be on India’s premier all-rounder Deepti Sharma. Her stellar performance in India’s maiden ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 triumph, where she scored 215 runs and took 22 wickets, will make her one of the most in-demand players in the upcoming auction.
Deepti is also among the marquee players to go under the hammer, including Renuka Singh, Sophie Devine, Sophie Ecclestone, Alyssa Healy, Amelia Kerr, Meg Lanning, and Laura Wolvaardt.
Having said this, let's take a look at why each team will target Deepti Sharma and why she can be a hot pick in the WPL 2026 auction?
Delhi Capitals Women (Purse: ₹5.70 crore)
The first team that will target Deepti Sharma in the WPL 2026 auction will be the Delhi Capitals. The franchise will want to add balance and depth to their side. Taking a look at the retained players (Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, and Niki Prasad) DC will now want a left-handed all-rounder to complement their predominantly right-handed batting lineup.
Deepti’s experience as a lower middle-order batter and a reliable bowler makes her an ideal candidate. With a small purse of ₹5.7 crore, the Capitals will need to be strategic, but her multi-phase skills could make her a perfect fit for the squad.
UP Warriorz Women (Purse: ₹14.5 crore)
Criterion
Data
Innings (Batting)
8
Runs
122
Average
15.25
SR
114.01
(Deepti Sharma's stats in WPL 2024/25 for UP Warriorz )
Criterion
Data
Innings (Bowling)
8
Wickets
8
Economy
8.68
(Deepti Sharma's stats in WPL 2024/25 for UP Warriorz)
It can be said that UP Warriorz might have released Deepti Sharma strategically to reset their squad, but she will remain the centrepiece of their rebuilding plans. With 507 runs and 27 wickets in 25 WPL matches and prior captaincy experience, she offers both leadership and all-round impact.
The franchise, finished last in 2025, has a large auction purse of ₹14.5 crore, making them prime contender to bring Deepti back. Her familiarity with the team and fan following adds further value.
Gujarat Giants Women (Purse: ₹9 crore)
Gujarat Giants, who have retained only Ash Gardner and Beth Mooney, will look to address their all-rounder gap. Deepti can provide both batting and bowling options, solving multiple problems in one pick for the team.
With a minimum of 13 players to buy in the auction and a purse of ₹9 crore, Deepti would be a strategic buy to strengthen and add balance to their attack.
Criterion
Data
Matches
25
Runs
507
SR
117.63
(Deepti Sharma's WPL stats)
Mumbai Indians Women (Purse: ₹5.75 crore)
Mumbai Indians Women have retained five players (Harmanpreet Kaur - Rs. 2.5 crore, Nat Sciver-Brunt - Rs. 3.5 crore, Amanjot Kaur - Rs. 1 crore, Hayley Matthews - Rs. 1.75 crore and G. Kamalini (uncapped) - Rs. 50 lakh), leaving them a limited purse.
While acquiring Deepti might stretch their budget, her ability to stabilise the batting and bowling lineup under pressure makes her an attractive option for MI as well. Her experience on the global stage could allow the franchise to rotate their bowling effectively if they get the star all-rounder, but the main question remains whether MI will use the amount to buy Deepti.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (Purse: ₹6.15 crore)
RCB have retained Shreyanka Patil but her injury concerns leave a gap in the spin and all-round department. Deepti’s versatility as a bowler and batter would provide both stability and depth, complementing their core of Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, and Richa Ghosh.
With ₹6.15 crore remaining, Deepti could be an impactful pick to for RCB’s squad as well.
Conclusion
Why Deepti Sharma is the mega auction hot pick
All-Round Skills: Can bat in multiple positions and bowl in all phases of the game.
Leadership: Past captaincy experience and ability to guide young squads.
Proven Performer: Player of the Tournament in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
Deepti Sharma (Source: AFP)
