The Women's Premier League (WPL)launched in 2023, it has transformed the landscape of women's cricket, becoming the premier platform for the sport globally. Not only has it showcased outstanding talent, it has also become a stage for intense competition among franchises, creating financial and professional milestones for players. With three successful editions to date, the league auctions have become a highly anticipated event, symbolizing the growing status and marketability of women's cricket.

The evolution of VPL auctions

The VPL's auction format, starting with its inaugural mega auction in 2023, has evolved into a high-stakes strategic affair. Players from all over the world are scouted, analyzed and competed for, with franchises investing heavily in proven performers and emerging talent. The league has seen staggering deals that reflect its financial growth and the value of top athletes.

Over three seasons, the auctions have seen game-changing mixes of international players and up-and-coming domestic stars. The inaugural VPL 2023 Mega Auction set the tone, with several records broken in terms of player bids. Subsequent mini-auctions in 2024 and 2025 carried the excitement, albeit with a more targeted focus on squad depth and long-term investment.

Smriti Mandhana: A record-breaking icon

Smriti Mandhanathe Indian batting sensation, remains the undisputed queen of the WPL auction. She made history at the inaugural VPL 2023 Mega Auction when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured its services for a record ₹ 3.4 crore, outbidding the bid Mumbai Indians (MI) in a fierce confrontation. This monumental bid not only highlighted Mandhana's status as a cricketer but also set the benchmark for evaluating players in the VPL.

Mandhana's first season with RCB ended in disappointment as the team went out during the league stage. However, she redeemed herself by leading RCB to their first WPL title in 2024, further cementing her legacy as one of the most valuable players in women's cricket.

The rise of global superstars

The VPL has also become a lucrative platform for international stars. Ashleigh GardnerAustralian all-rounder, i Nat Sciver-BruntEnglish all-rounder, have the distinction of being the second most expensive players in the history of the WPL. Both were signed for INR 3.20 million during the 2023 auction - Gardner by Gujarat Giants and Sciver-Brunt of Mumbai Indians.

These signings underlined the global appeal of the VPL, with franchises willing to invest heavily in foreign talent. Gardner and Sciver-Brunt also remain the most expensive overseas players in league history, highlighting the premium placed on their match-winning ability.

Indian stars are making premium offers

Apart from Mandhana, several Indian players have received significant offers, reflecting their importance to franchise strategies:

• Deepti Sharma: Bought it UP Warriors for INR 2.60 crore in the 2023 auction, making her the most expensive Indian all-rounder in the league.
• Jemimah Rodrigues: Signed Delhi Capitals for INR 2.20 crore, showing her worth as a middle-order mainstay.
• Shafali Verma: The dynamic opener has taken over Delhi Capitals for INR 2.00 crore, highlighting her explosive batting abilities.

Unlimited players shine

The VPL has also provided a platform for uncapped players to shine. Keshavee Gautama promising pacer, she became the most expensive uncapped player in league history when Gujarat bid INR 2.00 million for her during the 2024 auction. This trend underscores the franchise's focus on nurturing young talent and building teams for the future. Players like Gautam represent the league's commitment to providing opportunities to emerging stars, bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket.

Also READ: Everything you need to know about G. Camalini: 16-year-old prodigy fetches incredible price at VPL 2025 auction

Top 10 most expensive players in the history of the Women's Premier League

Here is a detailed list of the top 10 most expensive players in the Women's Premier League (WPL) history, including their prices and significant contributions.

1. Smriti Mandhana (India) – INR 3.40 Crore

Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), edition: VPL 2023
Smriti Mandhana leads the list as the most expensive player in the history of VPL. Acquired by RCB, her aggressive top-order batting and leadership qualities make her a vital asset. Despite a challenging 2023 campaign, her skills and consistency remain unmatched.

2. Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) – INR 3.20 Crore

Team: Gujarat Giants (GG), edition: VPL 2023
Gardner's outstanding all-around skills earned her one of the highest offers. Known for her powerful shots and wicket-taking in bowling, she has proved her worth as a match-winner at crucial times.

2. Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) – INR 3.20 Crore

Team: Mumbai Indians (MI), edition: VPL 2023
One of the best all-rounders in the world, Sciver-Brunt's ability to play in high-pressure scenarios with both bat and ball was a game-changer for Mumbai Indians, contributing significantly to their inaugural title win.

4. Deepti Sharma (India) – INR 2.60 Crore

Team: UP Warriors, edition: VPL 2023
The tactical brilliance and finishing skills of the Indian spin bowler make her indispensable for the UP Warriors. She consistently delivers both economical spells and impressive performances with the bat.

5. Jemimah Rodrigues (India) – INR 2.20 Crore

Team: Delhi Capitals, edition: VPL 2023
Jemima's elegant batting and ability to stabilize the innings make her one of the best young talents. Her signing with Delhi Capitals reflects her growing importance in the shorter formats of the game.

6. Shafali Verma (India) – INR 2.00 Crore

Team: Delhi Capitals, edition: VPL 2023
Shafali, known for her explosive hitting in the game, was a strategic acquisition for Delhi Capitals. Her fearless approach sets her apart, often giving her team a commanding start.

6. Keshavee Gautam (India) – INR 2.00 Crore

Team: Gujarat Giants, edition: VPL 2024
India's uncapped pacer, Gautam stunned the cricketing world with her record-breaking bid in the VPL 2024. Unfortunately, due to her raw pace, she was ruled out ahead of the second season. Her raw pace and potential make her a promising talent to watch out for in the future.

6. Annabelle Sutherland (Australia) – INR 2.00 Crore

Team: Delhi Capitals, edition: VPL 2024
The Australian all-rounder's hitting and bowling ability add versatility to any team. Delhi Capitals made a smart investment, banking on her consistency and reliability.

6. Beth Mooney (Australia) – INR 2.00 Crore

Team: Gujarat Giants, edition: VPL 2023
The reliable Australian opener has been selected to lead Gujarat Giants. Despite her injuries, Mooney's technical expertise and leadership have been crucial to her team.

10. Pooja Vastrakar (India) – INR 1.90 Crore

Team: Mumbai Indians, edition: VPL 2023
Westrakar's all-round fast bowling ability makes her a key player. Her finishing skills with the bat and wicket-taking spells are vital to Mumbai's lower middle order and bowling attack.

10. Richa Ghosh (India) – INR 1.90 Crore

Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), edition: VPL 2023
Richa's fearless batting as a finisher and her wicket keeping skills made her a prime target for RCB. She was consistent in clutch moments, cementing her place on the team.

10. Simran Shaikh (India) – INR 1.90 Crore

Team: Gujarat Giants, edition: VPL 2025
The young talent has caught everyone's attention at the WPL 2025 with his big-hitting potential in the middle-order and his brilliant fielding and leg spinner. Gujarat Giants have invested heavily in her, looking for a long-term contribution. She was part of the UP Warriors in 2022 but was released due to poor performance and ended up going unsold in the second season auction.

Also READ: VPL 2025 auction: Complete list of sold players with their price

This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times society.