Four TATA WPL auctions later, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana still holds the record for being the most expensive player in WPL history as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) acquired the Indian lefty superstar for INR 3.4 Crore in the first-ever auction. After the disappointment of the first season, Mandhana was on song with the bat in hand (300 runs in 10 games) and with her leadership, guiding RCB to their maiden title in 2024. One of the most consistent players in world cricket across formats, Mandhana goes into WPL 2026 as an ICC World Cup winner and after shattering multiple records with the bat in a stellar year. She will now aim to take RCB back to title-winning ways.