The Women's Premier League has grown into one of the most competitive T20 leagues in women's cricket, and the auction and retention numbers reflect that ambition. Franchise owners have invested heavily to secure the best talent from India and around the world.
Across four seasons, a handful of players have commanded contracts that stand well above the rest. Here is a look at the five most expensive players in WPL history, counting down from the joint fifth spot to the top.
5. Harmanpreet Kaur and Beth Mooney
Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was held back by Mumbai Indians at INR 2.50 crore ahead of the WPL 2026 mega-auction. Her leadership helped the franchise claim two WPL titles. With the bat, Harmanpreet has been equally impressive, accumulating 1,193 runs across 34 innings at an average of 45.88 and a strike rate of 145.49.
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney was acquired by Gujarat Giants for INR 2.50 crore, placing her level with Harmanpreet in the all-time list. Across 27 WPL matches, Mooney has scored 780 runs at an average of 33.91 and a strike rate of 129.79. In WPL 2026, she gathered 258 runs from nine games at a strike rate of 122.27.
4. Richa Ghosh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru held on to Richa Ghosh ahead of WPL 2026, paying INR 2.75 crore for her services. That figure represented a 45 per cent jump over her earlier salary of INR 1.90 crore, underlining how much the franchise values her. Ghosh is regarded as one of the most destructive batters in women's cricket. In WPL 2026, she struck 189 runs across nine innings at a strike rate of 151.20.
3. Amelia Kerr
New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr was purchased by Mumbai Indians at the WPL 2026 auction for INR 3 crore. The 26-year-old has appeared in all four WPL seasons, featuring in 36 matches so far. With the bat, she has scored 511 runs at a strike rate of 119.68. With the ball, Kerr has claimed 54 wickets at an economy rate of 7.61 for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side.
2. Deepti Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner and Nat Sciver-Brunt
Three players share the No. 2 position, each holding a contract worth INR 3.20 crore. Deepti Sharma signed with UP Warriorz during the WPL 2026 mega-auction. Ashleigh Gardner represents Gujarat Giants and has been a consistent all-round performer, scoring 811 runs in 34 WPL matches at a strike rate of 141.79 while also claiming 31 wickets at an economy rate of 8.74.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, who plays for Mumbai Indians, was the third-highest run-getter in WPL 2026, amassing 321 runs from seven innings at a strike rate of 151.42. With the ball, she picked up eight wickets at an economy rate of 9.50 in that season.
1. Smriti Mandhana
India captain Smriti Mandhana tops the all-time list. At the inaugural WPL auction in 2023, Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured her for INR 3.40 crore. Ahead of WPL 2026, the franchise retained her at an increased fee of INR 3.50 crore. Mandhana has led RCB to two WPL titles and remains the most valued player the league has seen.
In WPL 2026, she was the top run-scorer with 377 runs across nine innings at a strike rate of 153.25. In the final, Mandhana struck 87 off 41 balls, powering Royal Challengers to chase down a 204-run target with six wickets and two balls to spare.
