The Women’s Premier League has witnessed record-breaking bids across the 2023 and 2026 editions, with franchises repeatedly investing in proven performers and long-term leaders.
In WPL 2026, Smriti Mandhana, Ashleigh Gardner, and Nat Sciver-Brunt were the joint-highest-paid players at ₹3.50 crore.
Before that, Mandhana was first bought for ₹3.40 crore, followed by Gardner and Sciver-Brunt at ₹3.20 crore each in the WPL 2023. Deepti Sharma (₹3.20 crore), Amelia Kerr (₹3.00 crore), Richa Ghosh (₹2.75 crore), and Harmanpreet Kaur (₹2.50 crore) further show how performance-backed players continue to command premium prices in the league.
Top 10 Most Expensive Players in WPL History
Here is the top 10 most expensive players in the history of the WPL from 2023-26.
| No. | Player (Country) | Price | Retained/ Purchased | Team | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana (India) | ₹3.50 crore | Retained | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | WPL 2026 |
| 2 | Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) | ₹3.50 crore | Retained | Gujarat Giants Women | WPL 2026 |
| 3 | Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) | ₹3.50 crore | Retained | Mumbai Indians Women | WPL 2026 |
| 4 | Smriti Mandhana (India) | ₹3.40 crore | Purchased | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | WPL 2023 |
| 5 | Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) | ₹3.20 crore | Purchased | Gujarat Giants Women | WPL 2023 |
| 6 | Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) | ₹3.20 crore | Purchased | Mumbai Indians Women | WPL 2023 |
| 7 | Deepti Sharma (India) | ₹3.20 crore | Purchased | UP Warriorz Women | WPL 2026 |
| 8 | Amelia Kerr (New Zealand) | ₹3.00 crore | Purchased | Mumbai Indians Women | WPL 2026 |
| 9 | Richa Ghosh (India) | ₹2.75 crore | Retained | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | WPL 2026 |
| 10 | Harmanpreet Kaur (India) | ₹2.50 crore | Retained | Mumbai Indians Women | WPL 2026 |
1. Smriti Mandhana: INR 3.5 Crores
RCB Women retained Smriti Mandhana for ₹3.5 crore ahead of WPL 2026. She will continue as the team captain and remains one of the most important players in the squad. Smriti earlier led RCB-W to their first WPL title in 2024.
As an opener, Smriti has been steady in the league. In the WPL, she has scored 812 runs in 30 matches with a strike rate of 131.81. She is known for giving quick starts and handling pressure calmly. With her experience and clear thinking, Smriti will once again play a key role for RCB-W as the new season begins.
2. Ashleigh Gardner: INR 3.5 Crores
Ashleigh Gardner, the captain of Gujarat Giants Women, was retained for ₹3.50 crore ahead of WPL 2026, showing the franchise’s trust in her leadership and all-round skills. She continues to be the key figure in GG-W’s setup.
In the WPL, Gardner has delivered strong performances with both bat and ball. She has scored 704 runs in 29 matches at a strike rate of 145.45, often adding quick runs in the middle order. With the ball, she has taken 26 wickets with an economy of 8.60, giving her team important breakthroughs. Her calm captaincy, power hitting, and off-spin bowling make her central to Gujarat Giants’ plans for the new season.
3. Nat Sciver-Brunt: INR 3.5 Crores
At the WPL 2026 auction, Nat Sciver-Brunt was retained by the Mumbai Indians Women for ₹3.50 crore, showing how important she is to the team’s core. The England all-rounder continues to be one of the most reliable players in the league.
In the WPL, Nat has been outstanding with both bat and ball. She has scored 1,181 runs in 33 matches at an excellent average of 45.42 and a strike rate of 142.63, often leading the team in big moments. With the ball, she has taken 39 wickets at an economy of 7.84, providing key breakthroughs. Her all-round ability, calm approach, and experience make her a vital part of MI-W’s plans for WPL 2026.
4. Smriti Mandhana: INR 3.4 Crores
Smriti Mandhana created history at the first Women’s Premier League auction in 2023 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women signed her for ₹3.40 crore, making her the most expensive player at the time. The left-handed opener from India impressed everyone with her clean batting and calm approach.
Although her season was not productive, she scored 149 runs in 8 innings at an average of 18.62. In the next season, she led her team to win the WPL trophy by defeating DC-W.
5. Ashleigh Gardner: INR 3.2 Crores
Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner joined Gujarat Giants Women for ₹3.20 crore at the WPL 2023 auction, making her one of the most expensive overseas players that season. She is known for her off-spin bowling and powerful lower-order batting.
She also added value in the field with sharp catching. Although Gujarat finished last, Gardner showed her match-winning ability on spin-friendly Indian pitches.
6. Nat Sciver-Brunt: INR 3.2 Crores
England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt was signed by Mumbai Indians Women for ₹3.20 crore in WPL 2023, the same price as Gardner. She played a key role in MI’s title-winning campaign.
Sciver-Brunt scored 132 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 140. Her best knock was an unbeaten 60 off 55 balls in the final against Delhi Capitals, which helped MI lift the trophy. With the ball, she picked up 10 wickets, including figures of 3/21 against Gujarat Giants, at an economy below 7.2. Her steady batting, useful seam bowling, and calm presence in big matches proved her value throughout the season.
7. Deepti Sharma: INR 3.2 Crores
Deepti Sharma created history at the auction by becoming the costliest player after being picked by UP Warriorz for ₹3.2 crore. Delhi Capitals showed strong interest and pushed the bidding high, but UP Warriorz used their Right to Match (RTM) card to retain her services.
Her price rose sharply following an outstanding year, especially after winning the Player of the Tournament award at the 2025 World Cup. Deepti has been one of the most consistent performers in the WPL, with 555 runs and 31 wickets to her name.
8. Amelia Kerr: INR 3 Crores
New Zealand’s star all-rounder Amelia Kerr also attracted huge attention at the mega auction held in New Delhi. MI Women signed her for ₹3 crore, making her the second-most expensive player, just below Deepti Sharma’s record ₹3.2 crore deal with UP Warriorz.
At only 25 years old, the leg-spinning all-rounder has built a strong reputation across the world. During her previous WPL stints with MI-W, she made a significant impact, taking 50 wickets and scoring 490 runs across 34 matches, proving her value as a consistent match-winner across both departments.
9. Richa Ghosh: INR 2.75 Crores
Richa Ghosh was retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) for ₹2.75 crore ahead of WPL 2026. She remains an important player for the team as both a wicketkeeper and batter.
In the WPL, Richa has scored 686 runs in 30 matches with an excellent strike rate of 151.10. She is known for scoring runs quickly and finishing matches in the later overs. Her fearless batting strengthens the middle order. Along with her batting skills, Richa brings good game awareness and energy to the squad. As the new season begins, she will once again play a key role for RCB-W.
10. Harmanpreet Kaur: INR 2.5 Crores
Indian star Harmanpreet Kaur was retained by MI Women for ₹2.5 crore ahead of WPL 2026. She will continue as the team captain, a role in which she has already guided MI-W to two WPL titles. Her leadership has been a big reason behind the team’s consistent success.
Harmanpreet has also been very reliable with the bat. In the WPL, she has scored 1,050 runs in 32 matches at a strong average of 43.75, and remains a key part of MI-W’s plans as the new WPL season gets underway.
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Conclusion: Smriti Mandhana is the Most Expensive Player of WPL
In conclusion, the WPL 2026 auction clearly showed how much the league has grown, with Smriti Mandhana leading the way as the most expensive buy at ₹3.5 crore, along with Ashleigh Gardner and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Follow along for detailed match previews, player statistics, and expert analysis as WPL 2026 gets underway.
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