Maharani Trophy Auction 2026 Sets the Tone for a Thrilling Season

The Maharani Trophy T20 Auction 2026 was packed with excitement as all four teams picked great players to build strong squads for the upcoming season. With a budget of ₹20 lakh each, the teams spent big money on experienced state players, India national team stars, and talented young cricketers. This shows how big and important Karnataka's top women's T20 tournament has become.

Scheduled to be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru from July 22 to August 2, the tournament is expected to feature some of the brightest talents in Indian women's cricket. The auction showcased the increasing value of domestic stars as franchises carefully balanced marquee signings with squad depth.

Prathyusha Challuru Becomes the Costliest Player in Maharani Trophy

India all-rounder Prathyusha Challuru emerged as the biggest winner of the day after Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters secured her services for ₹4.50 lakh, making her the highest-priced player of the auction.

The Bengaluru franchise continued their aggressive strategy by signing Chandasi K and Inchara C U for ₹2 lakh each, while ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder Mithila Vinod was picked up for ₹1.90 lakh. The franchise also added Namita D'Souza, Rachitha Hatwar, Ananya Hegde, and Karnika Karthick, putting together one of the strongest squads on paper.

Mysuru Warriors Invest in Experience

Mysuru Warriors focused on strengthening their core with experienced domestic players. India batter Shubha Satheesh attracted a bid of ₹4.20 lakh, while Shishira A Gowda followed closely at ₹4.10 lakh, making them one of the costliest combinations in the auction.

The franchise further reinforced its squad by acquiring all-rounder Sahana S Pawar for ₹2.80 lakh before adding Pooja Kumari and Pushpa Kiresur. Their recruitment strategy reflected a desire to build a balanced side capable of competing consistently throughout the tournament.

Hubli Tigers Bank on Young Stars

Hubli Tigers built their campaign around two of Karnataka's brightest young cricketers. Explosive batter Vrinda Dinesh was signed for ₹4.20 lakh, while ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup-winning captain Niki Prasad joined the franchise for ₹4.10 lakh.

The Tigers also strengthened their middle order and bowling department by signing Prathyoosha K, Divya Gnanananda, and left-arm all-rounder Monica C Patel. The combination of youth and experience gives Hubli one of the most exciting squads heading into the tournament.

Gulbarga Mystics Prioritise Experience

Gulbarga Mystics opted for experience, making India left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad their marquee signing at ₹3.30 lakh. Wicketkeeper-batter Shreya Chavan followed with a bid of ₹3.20 lakh.

The franchise also secured Prerana GR, Soumya Verma, Krishika Reddy, Roshini Kiran, and Aditi R, creating a balanced squad with quality across batting, bowling, and all-round departments.

Structured Auction Brings Balance

The auction followed a four-pool structure to ensure competitive bidding. Pool A consisted of capped internationals and Women's Premier League players with a base price of ₹1 lakh. Pool B featured senior state cricketers at ₹75,000, Pool C included junior players at ₹50,000, while Pool D comprised standout local league performers with a base price of ₹30,000.

Operating within the ₹20 lakh salary cap, every franchise managed to combine established names with promising youngsters, ensuring strong competition across the league.

Maharani Trophy T20 Auction 2026: Top Sold Players

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