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"Was hoping to go back": Shikha Pandey on Delhi Capitals snub at WPL 2026 auction

Akshita Patel

Shikha Pandey shares honest reaction on WPL auction [Source: @SportsDigestHi/X.com]Shikha Pandey shares honest reaction on WPL auction [Source: @SportsDigestHi/X.com]

Shikha Pandey, after spending three seasons with Delhi Capitals, was picked up by UP Warriorz during the WPL 2026 auction. However, the pacer admitted she was secretly hoping for a return to the franchise that had become her cricketing home.

Pandey, one of India’s most experienced fast bowlers, found herself at the centre of a bidding war that ended with a massive ₹2.4 crore deal from UP Warriorz. 

Shikha Pandey opens up a connection with Delhi Capitals

However, Shikha Pandey’s heart still lies with the Delhi Capitals Women. She featured in 27 matches for DC across three WPL seasons and picked up 30 wickets for the team. 

Her best season came in 2025, when she claimed 11 wickets at an average of 21.9 and played a key role in helping DC reach their third straight final. 

Naturally, Shikha Pandey expected the franchise to show interest in bringing her back. But on auction day, things didn’t go as she imagined.

"I was anxious the whole day before, and I'm someone who stays in the moment, so I just told myself, whatever happens, happens. I had a very good team in the Delhi Capitals. I really thoroughly enjoyed playing in that setup. And I was hoping that I would go back to them, but then, that's how the whole auction works out. It works in different ways," Pandey told Sports Today.

Instead of DC raising the paddle, it was UP Warriorz and Royal Challengers Bengaluru who locked horns for her signature. As the bids kept rising, even Shikha’s family was left in shock. 

Her mother watched the drama closely, and Shikha later joined in as her name, echoing through the auction hall, kept getting more expensive. 

"To be very honest, I don't look at the price tag. I wasn't following the first few rounds, but then when my name came in... I was in the other room. My mother was watching very intently, and then I kind of joined in. I was happy that there were two teams that went on and on, and that's how the price tag increased. I was happy that I was being valued, which is what a cricketer wants sometimes," she added.

Shikha is unbothered by the price tag 

At 36, Shikha Pandey hasn’t played an international match since 2023 and also missed out on India’s 2025 World Cup squad. 

Yet, the strong interest from teams in the WPL showed that her experience and skill are still highly respected in the cricketing world.   

She also said that the high price is not bothering her.

"About the price tag, I'm not pretty sure with women's cricket, it is slightly different than men’s cricket. The eyeballs and media attention are not at par. If people were following women's cricket, probably they would know."

Now, a new chapter begins in her career as she prepares to lead UP Warriorz’s pace attack in WPL 2026. 

The team will start their campaign against Gujarat Giants on January 10 in Navi Mumbai, and all eyes will be on Shikha Pandey to deliver with the ball.