New Delhi, Nov 27: India all-rounder Deepti Sharma emerged as the biggest headline of the , becoming the highest-paid player of the marquee round after UP Warriorz (UPW) secured her for INR 3.2 crore through the RTM (Right to Match) card here on Thursday (November 27).
Delhi Capitals opened the bidding at her base price, but UP Warriorz quickly exercised the RTM to retain their star despite raising the bidding price to a whopping INR 3.20 crore. New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr followed as the second-costliest purchase, with Mumbai Indians spending INR 3 crore, more than half their available purse.
Entering with the largest purse and four RTMs, UP Warriorz dictated much of the early action. They brought back both Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone
(RTM after Delhi bought her for INR 85 lakh), and won a long duel against Delhi to sign Meg Lanning for INR 1.9 crore. By the end of the marquee round, UPW had secured three of the eight marquee stars, making them the most active franchise early on.
The first set also saw Delhi Capitals sign Laura Wolvaardt (INR 1.1 crore), while Gujarat Giants picked up Renuka Singh (INR 60 lakh) and later won a heated three-team battle for Sophie Devine (INR 2 crore). The day's biggest shock, however, came when Australia captain Alyssa Healy, listed at a base price of INR 50 lakh, went unsold.
In the second set, UPW continued their aggressive approach, adding Phoebe Litchfield (INR 1.2 crore) and using another RTM to retain Kiran Navgire (INR 60 lakh). Delhi strengthened their overseas core by signing Sree Charani and Chinelle Henry for INR 1.3 crore each, while Gujarat used RTM to retain Bharti Fulmali (INR 70 lakh). RCB added Nadine de Klerk and Radha Yadav for INR 65 lakh each, and UPW further bolstered their Indian contingent by signing Harleen Deol (INR 50 lakh).
The mid-session rounds saw UP Warriorz win another intense bidding war for Asha Sobhana (INR 1.1 crore) and use their final RTM to bring back Kranti Gaud (INR 50 lakh).
Many bowlers, including Alana King, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Darcie Brown, Saika Ishaque, and Lauren Cheatle, surprisingly went unsold. With several prominent names expected to return in the accelerated round, the WPL auction promises more twists ahead.
