WPL auction: UPW break bank for veteran pacer Shikha Pandey
What's the story
In a fierce bidding war, UP Warriorz have secured the services of Indian veteran cricketer Shikha Pandey for ₹2.4 crore in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction. The amount was six times her base price of ₹40 lakh. The decision was made during an intense session at the WPL 2026 auction held in New Delhi on Thursday. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women pushed for Pandey as well before UPW had the last laugh.
Auction details
Bidding war between UP Warriorz and RCB
The bidding for Pandey started off with a tussle between UP Warriorz and RCB Women. The price shot up to ₹75 lakh in no time, with Delhi Capitals, Pandey's previous team, staying out of the fray initially. The bid quickly crossed ₹1 crore as RCB went all out, before both teams drove it up to ₹1.7 crore. RCB then took the bid to ₹2 crore. UPW finally got the player for a staggering sum of ₹2.4 crore.
Career highlights
A look at the player's career highlights
Pandey, a 36-year-old pacer from Andhra Pradesh, has played three Tests, 55 WODIs, and 62 WT20Is for the Indian women's cricket team between 2014 and 2023. She was part of Delhi Capitals in WPL from 2023 to 2025. In her stint with the Delhi-based franchise, Pandey played 27 matches and claimed 30 scalps at 23.20. Notably, she has also featured in the Women's Big Bash League. She picked up 12 wickets in her lone edition with the Brisbane Heat Women.
Team composition
UP Warriorz's strategy and future plans
Before signing Pandey, UP Warriorz had signed Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma for ₹3.2 crore via RTM card, England spinner Sophie Ecclestone for ₹85 lakh via RTM, former Australian captain Meg Lanning for ₹1.9 crore, Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield for ₹1.2 crore among others. The Lucknow-based franchise entered the mega auction with a purse of ₹14.5 crore - the highest by any team in this edition of WPL auction.