Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 There were many headline-grabbing moments in the mega auction, but none bigger than the experienced fast bowler. Shikha PandeySensational increase in the value of. The seasoned campaigner, once considered the best performer in the eyes of selectors, shocked the cricket world after UP Warriors Secured his services at a surprising price.
Shikha Pandey started a fierce bidding war
As soon as Pandey’s name appeared on the board, there was excitement in the auction hall. Starting at a modest base price of Rs 40 lakh, the 36-year-old soon became the center of a heated competition between UP Warriors (UPW) and Rajasthan Royals. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB),
Both franchises, eager to strengthen their bowling arsenal with an experienced seamer who brings control and composure under pressure, kept pushing the paddle with relentless intent. What started as a measured conversation soon turned into a high-voltage tug of war, with bidding crossing the Rs 1 crore mark within minutes.
The intensity only increased when RCB momentarily took a lead of Rs 2.2 crore, ready to land the veteran. But UPW, armed with the biggest advantage of the auction, took a decisive lead late on and sealed the deal. Rs 2.40 crore And left the room humming.
Also read: Deepti Sharma has emerged as the second most expensive player in WPL history.
Second most expensive Indian in auction
Pandey’s mega signing took him to the position of second most expensive Indian player of the day Deepti Sharmawhich was retained through Right to Match (RTM) Card at an astonishing price of Rs 3.2 crore.
The result marks a remarkable turnaround for Pandey, who had fetched only Rs 60 lakh in the previous mega auction. The rapid rise in their value highlights the growing demand for experienced Indian seamers in the WPL ecosystem, especially those who offer swing, discipline and adaptability.
Here’s how fans reacted:
🚨 36-year-old veteran Shikha Pandey goes to UP Warriors for a whopping price of Rs 2.40 crore!
– Payment of Rs 2.40 crore at the age of 36 years.
– She has been a great player in the WPL and WBBL.
RCB made a bid of up to Rs 2.20 crore for him. Don’t know why Indian team ignored him for 2 years❤️🐐pic.twitter.com/x3nv8bskYv
– Rajeev (@Rajeev1841) 27 November 2025
Experience 🤝 Class
With the addition of Shikha Pandey, new threads have been added for them. @UPWarriorz For Rs 2.4 crore#TATAWPL , #TATAWPLAuction pic.twitter.com/nMvcWjsfvC
– Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) 27 November 2025
Shikha Pandey becomes the third most expensive buy in the auction
Experienced star goes to UP Warriors#shikhapandey #WPLAuction pic.twitter.com/5hmSJp5iGy– WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) 27 November 2025
Abhishek Nair has brought Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin to UP Warriors from the WPL auction.
TKRW → Abhishek Nair’s mentorship touch in WPL! pic.twitter.com/EgNcUsP5eU
– Rokte Amarr KKR (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) 27 November 2025
🚨Shikha Pandey in UP Warriors 🚨
Match – 27 || Wicket- 30
She is 36 years old and was sold by UP Warriors for 2.40 crores.
Second highest bid for an Indian player in WPL 26 auction..!! pic.twitter.com/ECaKe3KHFU
– Vikas (@Vikas662005) 27 November 2025
2.40 crores for Shikha Pandey. very worthy
– S (@_sectumsempra18) 27 November 2025
Shikha Pandey’s smile when she said “I’m so happy that Meg Lanning is going to be there” 🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/bfHJrXtGyQ
– Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) 27 November 2025
Shikha Pandey becomes fourth most expensive player in WPL history with bid of Rs 2.4 crore from UPW#shikhapandey #WPLMegaAuction #WPL2026
– Ambika (@apmahapatra) 27 November 2025
• Wolvaardt to Delhi!
• UPW is going all in! 💜 Dottin ✅Sophie ✅Deepti ✅Kranti ✅Kiran ✅Shikha Pandey UPW is building a power plant for ₹2.4 crore! #UPWarriors • Lauren Bell → RCB 🔴
• Lynsey Smith → RCB Another smart bowling. #WPLAuction
• Liezel Lee at Delhi Capitals– Samarth (@samartha_ggg) 27 November 2025
A big pay day for Shikha Pandey! #WPLAuction #wpl2026 #UPWarriors #Delhi #India pic.twitter.com/AL9VrumLPb
– Satan (@manojchawla979) 27 November 2025
Shikha Pandey sold:- 2.6 crores
warrior above #WPLAuction– cricketnew (@cricketnew73688) 27 November 2025
🔥 Shikha Pandey → RCB ₹1.80 crore (3rd most expensive)
The bidding war between RCB and UPW was epic! #shikhapandey #WPLAuction #WPL2026 #WPLAuction2026 pic.twitter.com/4IwnhewwTS– Er.Rajiv (@Rajiv_siait) 27 November 2025
Shikha Pandey deserves all this and more.
Great selection, UP! https://t.co/BbJyKxe4gE
– Yash Lahoti (@YvLahoti) 27 November 2025
Also read: Fans shocked as Australia captain Alyssa Healy remains unsold in WPL 2026 mega auction
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
