Shikha Pandey bags ₹2.4 crore as UP Warriorz win fierce auction battle
Shikha Pandey’s WPL 2025 performance became the talk of women’s cricket. The seasoned 36-year-old pacer delivered when it mattered most, proving she remains one of India’s most reliable bowlers despite being away from the national team since 2023. Her numbers tell a compelling story of consistency and skill that caught the attention of franchise owners across the league.
Playing for the Delhi Capitals, Pandey picked up 11 wickets across 11 matches, which placed her joint-fifth among the tournament’s top wicket-takers. Her campaign featured an average of 21.9 runs per wicket and an economy rate of 7.82 that kept opposition batters honest throughout the season.
Her best figures came against the Mumbai Indians, where she returned 2/16 in a match-winning spell. She followed that up with crucial performances against Gujarat Giants (2/31) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2/24), showing she could deliver in high-pressure situations against any experienced batters.
Breaking Down the Numbers
📊 Shikha Pandey WPL 2025 Bowling Performance
| Stat Category | Performance |
| Matches Played | 11 |
| Wickets Taken | 11 (joint 5th in tournament) |
| Best Figures | 2/16 vs Mumbai Indians |
| Bowling Average | 21.9 |
| Economy Rate | 7.82 |
| Strike Rate | 16.8 balls per wicket |
| Full Quota Games | 8 out of 11 |
Standout Performances:
- Most economical spell: 1/16 vs Mumbai Indians
- Consistently bowled under 25 runs in multiple matches
- Deployed across all phases: powerplay, middle overs, and death
- Multiple two-wicket hauls proving match-turning ability
The Auction Drama
For Shikha Pandey, there was an intense bidding war in the WPL 2026 auction. Starting from a base price of ₹40 lakh, things escalated quickly. Royal Challengers Bengaluru showed immediate interest, clearly impressed by what they’d seen from her throughout WPL 2025.
But RCB wasn’t alone. UP Warriorz entered the race with serious intent, and what followed was exactly the kind of auction drama that makes these events must-watch television. The two franchises went back and forth, each raise signalling their desperation to secure Pandey’s services.
RCB pushed hard, taking their bid all the way to ₹2.20 crore despite having only ₹2.85 crore left in their purse and eight roster spots still to fill. It was a bold move that demonstrated their high regard for her experience and skill set. But UP Warriorz wasn’t backing down. They countered with ₹2.40 crore in the accelerated bidding round for all-rounders, and that’s where the hammer finally fell.
Interestingly, Delhi Capitals—Pandey’s team in WPL 2025—chose not to enter the bidding war. Whether that was a strategic decision or a budget constraint remains unclear, but it opened the door for UP Warriorz to land one of the tournament’s most consistent performers.
Her Entry in UP Warriorz
UP Warriorz didn’t just buy a bowler; they invested in a complete package. Captain Meg Lanning, who knows Pandey well from their time together at Delhi Capitals, was clear about why the acquisition made sense. She praised Pandey’s experience, her ability to stay calm under pressure, and most importantly, her versatility to bowl in any match situation.
Here’s what Pandey brings to her new team:
- As a pace bowler: She’s expected to lead the seam attack, likely sharing new-ball duties with promising youngster Kranti Gaud. Her swing in the powerplay and yorkers at the death give UP Warriorz options they desperately needed.
- Phase flexibility: Whether it’s swinging the new ball, controlling the middle overs, or defending totals at the death, Pandey has shown she can handle any role. That 7.82 economy rate from WPL 2025 proves she’s effective at restricting runs even when wickets aren’t falling.
- All-rounder depth: Listed as an all-rounder in the UP Warriorz squad, Pandey’s right-handed batting adds value in the lower order. She can finish innings alongside power-hitters like Kiran Navgire, giving the team flexibility in their batting combinations.
- Experience and mentorship: With 30 WPL wickets overall to her name, Pandey becomes a senior figure in a relatively young pace attack. She’ll work alongside spin star Deepti Sharma to create a balanced bowling unit while also mentoring younger players, finding their feet in T20 cricket.
UP Warriorz haven’t made the playoffs since the inaugural WPL season in 2023, and that drought is clearly weighing on them. Bringing in someone like Pandey signals their ambition to change that narrative in 2026.
The Bigger Picture: India Comeback?
While Pandey hasn’t worn an Indian jersey since 2023, her WPL 2025 performance sent a clear message: she’s not done yet. With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Pandey’s consistent WPL showings put her firmly back in the conversation for national selection. Selectors often look at current form in the Premier Leagues, and what better way to stake your claim than by taking wickets, controlling the run rate, and winning matches?
Her move to UP Warriorz gives her another platform to showcase her skills. If she can replicate or improve on her 2025 numbers, the selectors will have to take notice. The experience she brings—having played over 100 international matches—combined with her current form makes her an attractive option for India’s T20 setup.
Looking Ahead to WPL 2026
As UP Warriorz prepare for the new season, Pandey will be central to their plans. The ₹2.40 crore investment reflects their belief that she can transform their fortunes. Paired with medium-pace all-rounder Deandra Dottin and supported by spin ace Deepti Sharma, the bowling attack suddenly looks far more balanced than it did last season.
For Pandey personally, this represents a fresh challenge and a golden opportunity. A new team, a hungry captain, and a franchise determined to make the playoffs—these are the ingredients for a memorable campaign.
If her WPL 2025 stats are anything to go by, UP Warriorz made a smart investment. And if she can maintain that form while also contributing with the bat and mentoring younger players, the ₹2.40 crore might turn out to be the bargain of the auction.
The stage is set. The expectations are clear. Now it’s time for Shikha Pandey to do what she does best: deliver when it matters most.
