The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 the mega auction produced several headline moments, but none bigger than the veteran pacer Shikha Pandeysensational increase in value. The seasoned batsman, once considered the best in the eyes of the selectors, stunned the cricketing world after UP Warriorz secured her services at a staggering price.
Shikha Pandey launches a fierce bidding war
The auction house erupted in excitement as soon as Pandey’s name appeared on the board. Starting at a modest base price of INR 40,000, the 36-year-old has quickly become the focus of a heated battle between the UP Warriorz (UPW) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Looking to bolster their bowling arsenal with an experienced seamer who brings control and composure under pressure, both franchises kept pressing the paddle with relentless intent. What started as a measured exchange soon turned into a high-voltage tug-of-war, with the offer exceeding the 1 million crown mark within minutes.
The intensity only grew as RCB momentarily took the lead by INR 2.2 crore and looked set to land the veteran. But UPW, armed with the biggest purse of the auction, made a decisive late surge – closing the deal at 2.40 million INR and leave the room buzzing.
READ ALSO: Deepti Sharma emerges as the second most expensive player in WPL history
The second most expensive Indian in the auction
Pandey’s mega signing elevated her to the second most expensive Indian player of the day, just behind Deepti Sharmawhich was preserved through Right to Match (RTM) card for a staggering INR 3.2 million.
This result marks a remarkable turnaround for Pandey who fetched only INR 60 crore in the previous mega auction. Her exponential rise in value highlights the growing demand for skilled Indian seamstresses in the WPL ecosystem, especially those who offer panache, discipline and adaptability.
This is how fans reacted:
🚨 36-year-old veteran Shikha Pandey went to UP Warriors for a whopping 2.40 crores!
– Get paid 2.40 crores at the age of 36.
– She was a great player in WPL and WBBL.
RCB spent 2.20 million crowns for her. I don’t know why Indian team ignored her for 2 years❤️🐐pic.twitter.com/x3nv8bskYv
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 27, 2025
Experience 🤝 Class
New threads for Shikha Pandey when he joins @UPWarriorz for a whopping INR 2.4 million 💛💜#TATAWPL | #TATAWPLAucce pic.twitter.com/nMvcWjsfvC
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey becomes the third most expensive purchase in the auction 💰
Veteran star goes UP Warriorz 🎯#ShikhaPandey #WPLaukce pic.twitter.com/5hmSJp5iGy— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) November 27, 2025
Abhishek Nayar brings Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin to UP Warriorz from WPL auction.
TKRW → Mentoring Abhishek Nayar in WPL! ❤👌 pic.twitter.com/EgNcUsP5eU
— Rokte Amar KKR (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) November 27, 2025
🚨 Shikha Pandey in UP Warriorz 🚨
Matches – 27 || goals – 30
She is 36 years old, sold Up Warriorz for 2.40 CR 🤯
2nd highest bid for Indian player in WPL 26 auction..!! pic.twitter.com/ECaKe3KHFU
— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) November 27, 2025
2.40 cr for shikha pandey. SO SO DESERVING
— with (@_sectumsempra18) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey smiled as she said: “I’m so glad Meg Lanning will be there” 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/bfHJrXtGyQ
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey becomes 4th most expensive player in WPL history with 2.4 Cr offer from UPW#shikhapandey #WPLMegaAuction #WPL2026
— Ambika (@apmahapatra) November 27, 2025
• Wolvardt to Delhi!
• UPW goes all out! 💜Dottin ✅Sophie ✅Deepti ✅Kranti ✅Kiran ✅Shikha Pandey for ₹2.4 Cr UPW building power plant! #UPWarriorz • Lauren Bell → RCB 🔴
• Linsey Smith → RCB Another smart bowling addition. #WPLaukce
• Lizelle Lee to Delhi Capitals— Samartha (@samartha_ggg) November 27, 2025
Big Payday for Shikha Pandey! 💰 #WPLaukce #wpl2026 #UPWarriorz #Delhi #India pic.twitter.com/AL9VrumLPb
— devil (@manojchawla979) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey Sold:- 2.6 Cr
Up warrior #WPLaukce— Cricnow (@CricketNew73688) November 27, 2025
🔥 Shikha Pandey → RCB ₹1.80 Cr (3rd most expensive)
RCB & UPW bidding war was EPIC! 💥 #ShikhaPandey #WPLaukce #WPL2026 #WPLAauction2026 pic.twitter.com/4IwnhewwTS— Er.Rajiv (@Rajiv_siait) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey deserves all this and more.
Great selection, UP! https://t.co/BbJyKxe4gE
— Yash Lahoti (@YvLahoti) November 27, 2025
READ ALSO: Fans stunned as Australia captain Alyssa Healy fails to sell in WPL 2026 mega auction
This article was first published on WomenCricket.comand Cricket times company.
