Parunika Sisodia Headlines DPL 2026 Women's Auction as Franchises Build Strong Squads for Season 3

The Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 Women's Auction 2026 concluded in New Delhi with franchises making significant investments as they finalised their squads for the third season of the tournament. 

The auction reflected the growing stature of women's cricket in the capital, with intense bidding wars, strategic use of the Right to Match (RTM) card and several high-profile signings dominating the proceedings.

Leading the headlines was left-arm spinner Parunika Sisodia, who emerged as the most expensive player at the auction after being signed by East Delhi Riders for ₹14 lakh. The auction also saw strong demand for domestic stars and emerging cricketers, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of one of India's fastest-growing women's T20 leagues.

With all four franchises assembling balanced squads featuring experienced performers and promising youngsters, the stage is now set for an exciting third edition of the DPL Women's competition.

The biggest moment of the auction came when East Delhi Riders secured the services of Parunika Sisodia for ₹14 lakh, making her the highest-priced player in the auction. Parunika has established herself as one of Delhi's most promising left-arm spinners and continues to rise through the domestic ranks. Her ability to control the middle overs and contribute with the bat made her one of the most sought-after names in the marquee player pool.

East Delhi Riders further strengthened their squad by signing Simran Dil Bahadur for ₹8 lakh, while also successfully using their RTM card to retain Pragya Rawat for ₹7 lakh.

With multiple high-profile additions, East Delhi appears to have assembled one of the strongest squads in the competition.

The Central Delhi Queens made one of the auction's biggest purchases by acquiring Arushi Goel for ₹11 lakh, making her the second-most expensive player of the day. The talented all-rounder joins a squad already anchored by retained marquee player Soni Yadav, giving the Queens an impressive balance of batting and bowling options. The franchise also strengthened its middle order by signing Sumiti Soni for ₹8 lakh, ensuring depth in both departments.

With experienced performers complemented by emerging players, Central Delhi Queens have built a squad capable of challenging for the title.

One of the marquee signings of the auction saw India batter Priya Punia join the South Delhi Superstarz. Her arrival significantly strengthens the batting unit and complements retained India Under-19 star Shweta Sehrawat, who has already established herself as one of the country's brightest young talents.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/rishabh-pant-pratika-rawal-headline-delhi-premier-league-season-3-auction-as-over-600-players-go-under-the-hammer

South Delhi also retained several key players from previous seasons, giving the franchise a stable core heading into the new campaign.

The combination of international experience and youth makes them one of the most balanced sides in the league.

The North Delhi Strikers concentrated on reinforcing their bowling attack. The franchise signed Priya Mishra, adding another quality option alongside retained marquee player Ayushi Soni. North Delhi also exercised their RTM card to retain all-rounder Samaira Raghav for ₹7 lakh, underlining the importance of continuity within the squad.

With experienced bowlers supported by several talented youngsters, the Strikers appear well-equipped for another competitive season.

Top Seven Costliest Players

The auction featured several competitive bidding battles, resulting in the following top purchases:

• Parunika Sisodia (East Delhi Riders) – ₹14 lakh

• Arushi Goel (Central Delhi Queens) – ₹11 lakh

• Sumiti Soni (Central Delhi Queens) – ₹8 lakh

• Simran Dil Bahadur (East Delhi Riders) – ₹8 lakh

• Purva Siwach (East Delhi Riders) – ₹7 lakh

• Samaira Raghav (North Delhi Strikers – RTM) – ₹7 lakh

• Pragya Rawat (East Delhi Riders – RTM) – ₹7 lakh

The list reflects the growing market value of Delhi's leading women's cricketers as franchises look to build title-winning combinations.

The Right to Match rule once again proved to be an important tactical tool. East Delhi Riders used their RTM card to bring back Pragya Rawat, while North Delhi Strikers retained Samaira Raghav using the same provision. The rule allows franchises to maintain continuity by matching the highest bid for one of their previous players, helping preserve team chemistry while still allowing competitive bidding.

The auction highlighted the rapid growth of women's cricket in Delhi. Since the inaugural season, the DPL Women's competition has evolved into a significant platform for domestic cricketers seeking higher-level competition. The presence of India internationals, India Under-19 stars and several established domestic performers has considerably raised the standard of the league. For younger players, the tournament provides an opportunity to compete alongside experienced cricketers while attracting the attention of selectors and franchise scouts.

By the end of the auction, all four franchises had successfully assembled balanced squads. East Delhi Riders boast one of the strongest spin attacks led by Parunika Sisodia, while Central Delhi Queens have invested heavily in all-round depth. South Delhi Superstarz will rely on the experience of Priya Punia and the exciting talent of Shweta Sehrawat, whereas North Delhi Strikers possess a well-rounded bowling unit supported by experienced campaigners.

The overall quality of the squads suggests that Season 3 could be the most competitive edition of the Delhi Premier League Women's tournament yet.

With franchises blending international experience, domestic performers and emerging talent, the DPL continues to establish itself as an important stepping stone in India's women's cricket pathway. As preparations now shift from the auction table to the practice ground, fans can look forward to another exciting season showcasing some of Delhi's finest cricketers.