Shree Charani has been roped in by Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.30 crore in the WPL 2026 auction. The Indian bowler has managed to receive a massive pay rise with her latest signing in the WPL.
The 21-year-old
has rose to prominence in recent times, and now enjoys a pay rise of around 140 per cent in the WPL 2026.
Who is Shree Charani?
Shree Charani, born on August 4, 2004, in Yerramala Palle village, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, is a 21-year-old left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox spinner who has emerged as a key asset for Indian women's cricket. Hailing from a modest background, she began playing cricket with a plastic bat alongside her uncle Kishore Reddy during his midday breaks near the Rayalseema Thermal Power Station, transitioning from athletics, kho-kho, and badminton after advice from former selector MSK Prasad. As the first international cricketer from her district, Charani's journey reflects grit, evolving from gully cricket to national stardom.
Early Career and Domestic Rise
Charani honed her skills at district level in Kadapa, batting in the middle order while picking up regular wickets with her consistent left-arm spin, often generated with a short run-up mimicking medium-pace speeds. Joining the GHMC cricket academy in Kukatpally under coach Marripuri Suresh, she impressed with exceptional fitness and power-hitting ability as a lower-order batter. Her breakthrough came in Andhra's domestic circuit; by 2023, rapid improvements in spot bowling and match practice earned her a senior state spot, culminating in a maiden five-wicket haul in the March 2025 Senior Women's Multi-Day Challenger Trophy.
WPL Breakthrough
Delhi Capitals secured Charani for ₹55 lakh at the December 2024 Women's Premier League auction, marking her as one of the priciest uncapped buys. She made an instant impact on debut by dismissing Ellyse Perry, delivering composed spells with guile and flight against top batters. India head coach Amol Muzumdar praised her as the ideal solution to the team's long search for a reliable left-arm spinner post-WPL.
International Debut and Accolades
Charani debuted in ODIs during the April 2025 Tri-Series in Sri Lanka, followed by a stunning T20I bow against England in June, claiming 4/12 on debut-the second Indian woman to take a four-fer in her first T20I. She topped the series wicket charts with 10 scalps at an average of 14.80, earning Player of the Series honors in India's win. Across 18 ODIs, she has bowled 949 deliveries conceding 843 runs, while in 5 T20Is, she figures at 119 runs off 148 deliveries. In the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025, Charani claimed 11 wickets across 7 matches as India won their maiden World title.
