The 2026 edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction in New Delhi witnessed one of the most dramatic comebacks when Deepti Sharma shot back to the limelight. She was initially signed by Delhi Capitals (DC) at her base price of ₹ 50 lakh, but her former side UP Warriorz exercised their Right-to-Match card and sprang a surprise by submitting a blockbuster counter-offer of ₹ 3.2 crore — a bid DC accepted. The move made Deepti the joint second-most expensive player in WPL history.
Deepti’s return to UP Warriorz reflects the high regard the franchise holds for her all-round abilities. Over 25 matches in prior seasons, she amassed 507 runs at a strike rate of 117.63 and bagged 27 wickets at an economy rate of 8.29. Beyond her domestic performance, she carried forward her stellar form from the global stage — in the recently concluded Women’s ODI World Cup she was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 215 runs (including three half-centuries) and picking up 22 wickets during the tournament.
While Deepti dominated the headlines, the auction also saw a noteworthy move by Delhi Capitals who secured Laura Wolvaardt for ₹ 1.1 crore. Wolvaardt, a South African international and one of the most dependable overseas batters, is expected to bring solidity and experience to the Capitals’ batting line-up.
This auction underlines how much value teams are placing on all-rounders and proven international performers. For UP Warriorz, regaining Deepti strengthens their core — offering balance with both bat and ball under pressure.
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