WPL Auction: Deepti Sharma costliest buy at INR 3.2 Crore by UP Warriorz

India allrounder Deepti Sharma finished as the highest-paid player of WPL mega auction's marquee round, returning to UP Warriorz for INR 3.2 crore through the RTM card after Delhi Capitals made the only opening bid at her base price. Amelia Kerr was the next biggest buy, with Mumbai Indians spending INR 3 crore on her.

UP Warriorz, who began the day with the biggest purse and four RTMs, controlled most of the early action. They used RTMs to bring back both Deepti and Sophie Ecclestone after Delhi bought the England spinner at INR 85 lakh. They also signed Meg Lanning for INR 1.9 crore after a long bidding fight with Delhi. By the end of the marquee round, UPW had secured three of the eight marquee players and had already used two of their four RTMs.

Delhi Capitals started by signing Laura Wolvaardt for INR 1.1 crore after a short contest with RCB. Gujarat Giants added Renuka Singh for INR 60 lakh and later won a long three-team battle to sign Sophie Devine for INR 2 crore.

The marquee round also produced the biggest surprise of the day, with Australia captain Alyssa Healy going unsold.

The second set moved quickly. UPW signed Phoebe Litchfield for INR 1.2 crore after a long contest with RCB and used their third RTM to bring back Kiran Navgire for INR 60 lakh. Sree Charani went to Delhi Capitals for INR 1.3 crore after a close fight with UPW, with Chinelle Henry also going to Delhi for the same amount. Gujarat Giants used RTM to retain Bharti Fulmali for INR 70 lakh.

RCB added Nadine de Klerk for INR 65 lakh and later picked Radha Yadav for the same amount. UPW strengthened their Indian group further by signing Harleen Deol for her base price of INR 50 lakh.

Grace Harris and S Meghana remained unsold in these sets.

In the sets that followed, UP Warriorz added to their spin attack by signing Asha Sobhana for INR 1.1 crore, fighting off bids from DC and RCB. They also brought back fast bowler Kranti Gaud, using their last remaining RTM to get her at her base price of INR 50 lakh.

MI got back Shabnim Ismail for INR 60 lakh after a short contest with RCB.

Gujarat Giants signed fast bowler Titas Sadhu for INR 30 lakh while RCB added Lauren Bell for INR 90 lakh and Linsey Smith for her base price of INR 30 lakh. Several bowlers found no takers, including Alana King, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Darcie Brown, Saika Ishaque, Priya Mishra and Lauren Cheatle.

Among wicketkeepers, DC picked up Lizelle Lee for INR 30 lakh. Uma Chetry, Amy Jones and Isabella Gaze found no bids.