The Women’s Premier League has completely transformed the financial landscape of women’s cricket since its debut in 2023. With franchises willing to spend massive amounts for elite talent, the league has seen some staggering price tags that rival the best in the world.
The recently concluded WPL 2026 mega auction has once again reshuffled the leaderboard of top earners. While fresh bids grabbed headlines, the highest paychecks actually belong to the retained superstars. Currently, the title for the most expensive player in WPL is shared by three icons: Smriti Mandhana, Ashleigh Gardner, and Nat Sciver Brunt, who all command a fee of INR 3.50 crore for the 2026 season.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the highest paid stars and the biggest buys in the history of the league.
Most Expensive Players in WPL History:
The record for the highest bid has evolved since the inaugural season. In 2023, Smriti Mandhana created history with a 3.40 crore bid. By 2026, retention hikes have pushed the ceiling to 3.50 crore.
Here is the list of the most expensive players across all seasons:
| Player Name | Team | Price (INR) | Type | Year |
| Smriti Mandhana | RCB | 3.50 Crore | Retention | 2026 |
| Ashleigh Gardner | Gujarat Giants | 3.50 Crore | Retention | 2026 |
| Nat Sciver Brunt | Mumbai Indians | 3.50 Crore | Retention | 2026 |
| Smriti Mandhana | RCB | 3.40 Crore | Auction | 2023 |
| Deepti Sharma | UP Warriorz | 3.20 Crore | Auction | 2026 |
| Ashleigh Gardner | Gujarat Giants | 3.20 Crore | Auction | 2023 |
| Nat Sciver Brunt | Mumbai Indians | 3.20 Crore | Auction | 2023 |
| Amelia Kerr | Mumbai Indians | 3.00 Crore | Auction | 2026 |
Why Smriti Mandhana Is the Highest Paid Player in WPL History?
Smriti Mandhana holds a unique record in the Women’s Premier League. She is the only player to hold the title of the “most expensive player” in two separate instances.
The Historic 2023 Bid. When the first ever WPL auction took place in 2023, Royal Challengers Bengaluru broke the bank for the Indian vice captain. In a fierce bidding war against the Mumbai Indians, RCB secured her services for a record breaking INR 3.40 crore. This bid set the tone for the league and established Mandhana as the most valuable asset in women’s cricket.
Retention Price Hike in 2026. While many players see their value fluctuate, Mandhana has only seen growth. Ahead of the 2026 mega auction, RCB chose to retain her rather than release her into the pool. This retention came with a pay rise, taking her annual salary to INR 3.50 crore.
The price tag is not just for her batting. Smriti Mandhana brings three key elements to the ground:
- She captained RCB to their maiden title in 2024.
- She is arguably the most popular female cricketer in India, driving ticket sales and viewership for the franchise.
- As a left handed opener, she provides explosive starts that are rare in the domestic circuit.
Here is the expanded content for the player sections, incorporating specific stats, auction drama, and performance records from the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Highest Paid Players in WPL 2026:
The 2026 season sees three players sitting at the very top of the salary pyramid. These players were retained by their respective franchises at a premium price of INR 3.50 crore, setting a new benchmark for player value in the league.
Smriti Mandhana (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
Smriti Mandhana is not just the captain of RCB but also the face of the tournament. Her retention at INR 3.50 crore makes her the joint most expensive player in the league. She led RCB to a historic maiden title win in 2024, proving her leadership credentials after a tough debut season.
Her value extends beyond just captaincy. As an opener, she has been prolific, recently becoming the fastest Indian woman to score over 4,000 T20I runs. For RCB, she anchors the innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate. The franchise views her as the cornerstone of their brand, ensuring that her salary remains at the record breaking ceiling year after year.
Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants)
Australian all rounder Ashleigh Gardner has been a consistent performer for Gujarat Giants, often carrying the team single handedly. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her an indispensable asset, justifying her INR 3.50 crore retention tag.
Gardner had a phenomenal individual run in the previous season, where she scored over 500 runs and picked up 25 wickets, cementing her status as the world’s premier all rounder. With Gujarat Giants looking to rebuild and challenge for the trophy in 2026, securing Gardner was their top priority. She offers four overs of reliable off spin and explosive finishing power in the death overs.
Nat Sciver Brunt (Mumbai Indians)
Mumbai Indians secured their English superstar Nat Sciver Brunt for the same record fee of INR 3.50 crore. She has been a match winner for Mumbai in critical situations, playing a pivotal role in their title victories in 2023 and 2025.
Known for her big match temperament, Nat Sciver Brunt holds the record for scoring the most runs in a single WPL season. She famously won the Orange Cap in 2025, guiding Mumbai Indians to their second championship trophy. Her retention proves that the franchise values stability and proven experience over risky new signings, as she guarantees performance in knockout games.
Top Buys at the WPL 2026 Mega Auction:
While the retained players hold the salary record, the auction floor in New Delhi witnessed intense bidding wars for other marquee players.
Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz)
The biggest news from the 2026 auction was the move of Indian all rounder Deepti Sharma to UP Warriorz. The franchise spent a massive INR 3.20 crore to secure her services via the Right to Match (RTM) card.
The bidding drama was intense, with the Delhi Capitals initially placing a high bid before UP Warriorz swooped in to reclaim their star. This bid makes Deepti Sharma the most expensive player bought specifically in the 2026 auction room. Her local connection to Uttar Pradesh and her recent rise to the Number 1 spot in ICC T20I bowling rankings made her a non-negotiable target for the Warriorz. She is also the first Indian bowler to claim a hat trick in WPL history, adding immense tactical value to her team.
Amelia Kerr (Mumbai Indians)
New Zealand sensation Amelia Kerr was another hot property. Mumbai Indians went all out to sign her for INR 3.00 crore, bringing her back to the squad after technically releasing her to manage purse constraints.
Kerr brings dynamic fielding and clever leg spin to the table, adding more depth to an already formidable Mumbai squad. She was the highest wicket taker in Season 3, forming a lethal spin combination with the rest of the Mumbai attack. Her return was celebrated by the franchise as a “homecoming,” proving that her previous contributions had made her irreplaceable in the team’s long term plans.
Most Expensive Indian Players in WPL:
Indian talent is the backbone of the WPL, and franchises are always eager to pay a premium for homegrown stars.
- Smriti Mandhana: She leads the pack consistently. Her initial 3.40 crore bid in 2023 was the first major milestone for women’s cricket in India.
- Deepti Sharma: With her recent 3.20 crore contract, she remains one of the most valued Indian cricketers alongside Mandhana.
- Harmanpreet Kaur: The Indian captain was retained by the Mumbai Indians for INR 2.50 crore, continuing her association with the champions.
- Richa Ghosh: The explosive wicketkeeper batter secured an INR 2.75 crore deal with RCB, reflecting the high demand for aggressive Indian finishers.
Highest Paid Overseas Stars:
Foreign players bring immense experience and global brand value to the WPL. The salary cap for overseas stars is often exhausted quickly as teams fight for the best international talent.
Australian and English cricketers dominate this list. Apart from Gardner and Sciver Brunt, Beth Mooney commands a salary of INR 2.50 crore with the Gujarat Giants. The entry of Amelia Kerr into the 3 Crore Club further highlights how teams are prioritising versatile overseas all rounders who can adapt to Indian conditions.
Expensive Uncapped Players and Emerging Talent
The WPL is also a platform for uncapped Indian players to earn life changing amounts.
- Keshavee Gautam: In the 2024 auction, Keshavee Gautam became the most expensive uncapped player in history with a bid of INR 2.00 crore by the Gujarat Giants.
- Vrinda Dinesh: Another notable name is Vrinda Dinesh, who fetched INR 1.30 crore in a previous auction from UP Warriorz.
Conclusion:
The salary landscape of the WPL continues to grow with every season. The 2026 auction and retentions have set a new standard with the INR 3.50 crore benchmark.
As the league expands and revenues increase, it is only a matter of time before we see a player breach the 4 crore mark. For now, Smriti Mandhana, Ashleigh Gardner, and Nat Sciver Brunt sit comfortably on the throne as the most expensive players in the league.
FAQs:
Currently, three players share the record for the highest salary in the Women’s Premier League. Smriti Mandhana (RCB), Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants), and Nat Sciver Brunt (Mumbai Indians) were all retained for INR 3.50 crore for the 2026 season.
In terms of contract value, Smriti Mandhana, Ashleigh Gardner, and Nat Sciver Brunt are the most valuable players with their INR 3.50 crore salaries. If we look strictly at the 2026 auction bidding, Indian all rounder Deepti Sharma is the most valuable buy, commanding a price of INR 3.20 crore from UP Warriorz.
Smriti Mandhana earns a salary of INR 3.50 crore for the WPL 2026 season. This reflects a pay rise from her previous contract of INR 3.40 crore, which she held during the inaugural season of the league.
WPL player salaries vary significantly based on their experience and auction demand. The pay scale generally ranges from a base price of INR 10 lakhs for uncapped players to upwards of INR 3 crore for elite international stars.
The highest paid status for WPL 2026 is shared by three marquee players. Smriti Mandhana (RCB), Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants), and Nat Sciver Brunt (Mumbai Indians) are all earning INR 3.50 crore each this season.