The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction produced several headline-grabbing moments, but none bigger than veteran pacer Shikha Pandey’s sensational rise in value. The experienced campaigner, once considered past her prime in the eyes of selectors, stunned the cricketing world after UP Warriorz secured her services for an astounding price.
Shikha Pandey triggers fierce bidding war
The auction hall erupted into excitement as soon as Pandey’s name went up on the board. Starting at a modest base price of INR 40 lakh, the 36-year-old quickly became the centre of a heated contest between UP Warriorz (UPW) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Both franchises, keen on bolstering their bowling arsenal with an experienced seamer who brings control and composure under pressure, kept pushing the paddle with relentless intent. What began as a measured exchange soon transformed into a high-voltage tug-of-war, with the bid soaring past the 1-crore mark in minutes.
The intensity only grew as RCB momentarily took the lead at INR 2.2 crore, appearing poised to land the veteran. But UPW, armed with the biggest purse of the auction, made a decisive late surge — sealing the deal at INR 2.40 crore and leaving the room buzzing.
Second-most expensive Indian at the auction
Pandey’s mega signing elevated her to the position of the second-costliest Indian player of the day, just behind Deepti Sharma, who was retained through the Right to Match (RTM) card at a staggering INR 3.2 crore.
This outcome marks a remarkable turnaround for Pandey, who fetched only INR 60 lakh at the previous mega auction. Her exponential rise in value highlights the increasing demand for experienced Indian seamers in the WPL ecosystem, especially those who offer swing, discipline, and adaptability.
Here’s how fans reacted:
🚨 36 years old veteran Shikha Pandey went to UP Warriors for huge 2.40 crores!
– Getting paid 2.40 crores at age of 36.
– She has been a great player in WPL & WBBL.
RCB went for her till 2.20 crores. Dont know why Indian team ignored her for 2 yrs❤️🐐pic.twitter.com/x3nv8bskYv
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 27, 2025
Experience 🤝 Class
New threads for Shikha Pandey as she joins @UPWarriorz for a whopping INR 2.4 Crore 💛💜#TATAWPL | #TATAWPLAuction pic.twitter.com/nMvcWjsfvC
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey becomes the third most expensive buy at the auction 💰
The veteran star goes to UP Warriorz 🎯#ShikhaPandey #WPLAuction pic.twitter.com/5hmSJp5iGy— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) November 27, 2025
Abhishek Nayar brings in Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin to UP Warriorz from the WPL Auction.
TKRW → Abhishek Nayar’s Mentorship touch in WPL! ❤👌 pic.twitter.com/EgNcUsP5eU
— Rokte Amar KKR (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) November 27, 2025
🚨 Shikha Pandey in UP Warriorz 🚨
Matches – 27 || Wickets – 30
She is 36 years old sold to Up Warriorz by 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
— s (@_sectumsempra18) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey’s smile when she said “I’m so glad Meg Lanning is going to be there” 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/bfHJrXtGyQ
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey becomes 4th most expensive player in WPL history with a 2.4 Cr bid from UPW#shikhapandey #WPLMegaAuction #WPL2026
— Ambika (@apmahapatra) November 27, 2025
• Wolvaardt to Delhi!
• UPW going all in! 💜Dottin ✅Sophie ✅Deepti ✅Kranti ✅Kiran ✅Shikha Pandey for ₹2.4 Cr UPW building a powerhouse! #UPWarriorz • Lauren Bell → RCB 🔴
• Linsey Smith → RCB Another smart bowling addition. #WPLAuction
• Lizelle Lee to Delhi Capitals— Samartha (@samartha_ggg) November 27, 2025
A big payday for Shikha Pandey! 💰 #WPLAuction #wpl2026 #UPWarriorz #Delhi #india pic.twitter.com/AL9VrumLPb
— devil (@manojchawla979) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey Sold :- 2.6Cr
Up Warrior #WPLAuction— Cricnow (@CricketNew73688) November 27, 2025
🔥 Shikha Pandey → RCB ₹1.80 Cr (3rd most expensive)
RCB & UPW’s bidding war was EPIC! 💥 #ShikhaPandey #WPLAuction #WPL2026 #WPLAuction2026 pic.twitter.com/4IwnhewwTS— Er.Rajiv (@Rajiv_siait) November 27, 2025
Shikha Pandey deserves all of this and more.
Great pick, UP! https://t.co/BbJyKxe4gE
— Yash Lahoti (@YvLahoti) November 27, 2025
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
