WPL 2026: Who is Anushka Sharma? Rising cricketer picked by Gujarat Giants for INR 45 lakh

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction took place on Thursday, November 27, in New Delhi. All five franchises, the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants, devised unique tactics to build their squads for the forthcoming season.

Anushka Sharma was one of the most talked-about names during the auction.

Unlike her renowned Bollywood namesake, Anushka Sharma is a potential Madhya Pradesh cricketer recognised for her strong hitting and useful off-spin bowling. Her domestic cricket performance has consistently improved, making her one of the most promising young cricketers on the circuit.

Starting with a basic price of INR 10 lakh, Anushka was eventually purchased by Gujarat Giants for INR 45 lakh, beating off defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who bid up to INR 40 lakh. The 22-year-old has performed admirably in India’s domestic championships, particularly in the bottom middle order, where reliable batters are in high demand.

Her stats include a List A batting average of 63.00 and a tournament strike rate of 125.00 in the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy in October. She represented the Central Zone in that competition, after having previously performed admirably for Madhya Pradesh in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. With youth on her side, Anushka aims to use the WPL to advance her career.

Gujarat Giants were very active in the marquee slots, signing notable international players like Sophie Devine and Renuka Singh Thakur. Along with Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Georgia Wareham, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Kim Garth, the franchise now has a strong international presence.

With growing domestic talents like Anushka, the Gujarat Giants have reinforced their squad and are looking to win the WPL championship for the first time in franchise history. The Gujarat-based franchise, which features a mix of experienced internationals and intriguing young Indian players, will be one to watch in the forthcoming WPL 2026 season.