WPL auction: Meg Lanning moves to UPW for ₹1.9 crore
What's the story
Former Australia captain Meg Lanning has been signed by UP Warriorz for ₹1.9 crore at the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction. The bidding started at ₹50 lakh, with Delhi Capitals making the first move, before UP Warriorz joined in. A quick two-team battle ensued, with the price crossing the ₹1 crore mark. Delhi Capitals raised the bid to ₹1.6 crore, and UP Warriorz countered with ₹1.7 crore, before sealing the deal at ₹1.9 crore.
Career highlights
Lanning's journey in WPL
Lanning, who was released by Delhi Capitals ahead of the mega auction, powered the franchise to three consecutive WPL finals but couldn't clinch the title each time. In her WPL career so far, she has played 27 matches and scored a total of 952 runs. She has a strike rate of 127.10 with nine half-centuries to her name.
Captaincy
Potential captain in Lanning?
UP Warriorz will be tempted to give Lanning the baton, given her captaincy credentials. The 33-year-old, who has retired from international cricket, led Australia to five ICC Women's World Cup titles (four T20 World Cups and one ODI World Cup). Under her, Australia maintained their historic unbeaten streak of 24 consecutive WODI wins. Lanning led Australia to 76 wins in 100 WT20Is (Tied: 1).
Information
Most WT20I runs for Australia
Despite retiring, Lanning continues to be Australia's highest run-scorer in WT20Is. She tops the list with 3,405 runs at a strike rate of 116.37. Her tally includes 2 tons and 15 half-centuries.