November 27, 2025 – The WPL 2026 mega auction delivered one of the most heartwarming and inspiring moments when 36-year-old Indian pace legend Shikha Pandey was picked up by UP Warriorz for a stunning ₹2.4 crore! Yes, you read that right — experience just trumped age in the most beautiful way possible.

From Delhi Capitals to UP Warriorz – A New Chapter Begins

For the last three seasons, Shikha Pandey was the heartbeat of Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack. She picked up 30 wickets across three WPL seasons — consistently among the top performers with her deadly swing, pinpoint accuracy, and ice-cool death bowling.

But when DC didn’t retain her ahead of the mega auction, many thought her WPL journey might slow down. They were wrong. UP Warriorz saw pure gold and went all in — raising the paddle again and again until the hammer finally fell at a massive ₹2.4 crore.

Why Teams Still Pay Big Money for Shikha Pandey

Age is just a number when you have:

• Outstanding swing and seam movement at pace
• Death-over expertise that very few Indian pacers possess
• Big-match temperament (remember her spells in World Cups?)
• Leadership and calmness in pressure situations
• Global T20 league experience from WBBL, WCPL, Super Smash, and more

Even though she last played for India in the 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final, Shikha never stopped grinding. She kept traveling the world, playing franchise cricket, staying match-fit, and proving week after week that she still belongs at the highest level.

What Shikha Pandey Said After the Big Move

Speaking right after being bought, an emotional Shikha shared:

“I was slightly anxious since yesterday, but I knew whatever happens, happens. I’ve put in a lot of hard work over the past three seasons, and I’m really happy to be joining the UP Warriorz family. It’s definitely exciting to be part of a new team.”

She also expressed huge gratitude to Delhi Capitals and excitement about playing under Meg Lanning and alongside world-class players like Sophie Ecclestone.

“I have a lot of gratitude for Delhi Capitals. Now I’m really excited that Meg Lanning will lead us, and I can’t wait to bowl alongside Sophie Ecclestone!”

What This Means for UP Warriorz

UP Warriorz now have one of the smartest bowling brains in women’s cricket. With Shikha joining the likes of Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, and Grace Harris, their bowling attack suddenly looks lethal.

She brings:

• Powerplay wickets with new ball swing
• Death-over yorkers and slower balls
• Mentorship for younger Indian pacers
• Calm head in knockout games

A Message to Every Cricketer: Age Doesn’t Matter

Shikha Pandey’s ₹2.4 crore deal is more than just money — it’s a powerful statement. In an era where young players dominate headlines, here’s a 36-year-old warrior showing the world that skill, fitness, and passion will always find takers.

To every cricketer who’s been written off because of age — this is your reminder: Keep working. Keep believing. Your time will come.

WPL 2026 is going to be special. And UP Warriorz just signed a legend who’s ready to write a new chapter in purple and gold.

Welcome to the Warriorz family, Shikha Pandey! The stage is yours.

Congratulations, Queen! 👑