Mallika Sagar: The Trailblazing Voice Redefining the IPL Auction Room

New Delhi, December 17, 2025: The hammer has fallen, and once again, the voice behind the most expensive bids in cricket history belongs to Mallika Sagar. As the IPL 2026 mini-auction unfolds at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, Sagar has firmly established herself as the “Queen of the Gavel,” transitioning from a high-society art expert to the most powerful woman in Indian sports auctions.

A Net Worth Built on Precision and Poise

Recent reports for late 2025 estimate Mallika Sagar’s net worth at approximately $15 million (around ₹125 crore). While she became a household name through cricket, her wealth is the result of a diverse, 25-year career spanning international art markets and elite sports leagues.

Her primary income sources include:

• Professional Auctioneering Fees: As the lead auctioneer for the IPL, WPL, and Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), she commands premium professional fees.
• Art Consultancy: A specialist in Modern and Contemporary Indian Art, she continues to consult for top-tier galleries and private collectors.
• Brand Endorsements: Her rising profile has led to collaborations with brands seeking to align with her image of authority and glass-ceiling-breaking success.

The Journey: From Christie’s to the Cricket Pitch

Born in Mumbai in 1975, Mallika’s fascination with auctions didn’t start in a stadium, but in the pages of a book featuring a female auctioneer protagonist. She pursued this dream academically, earning a degree in Art History from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia.

Her professional milestones are nothing short of historic:

1. Global Pioneer (2001): At just 26, she became the first Indian woman auctioneer at Christie’s in New York.
2. Sports Breakthrough (2021): She shattered the male-dominated sphere of Indian sports by becoming the first female auctioneer for the Pro Kabaddi League.
3. The IPL Call (2023): After stepping in seamlessly when veteran Hugh Edmeades collapsed during an auction, her composure impressed the BCCI so much that she was appointed the full-time lead for the IPL 2024, 2025 (Jeddah), and now the 2026 (Abu Dhabi) auctions.

Why She is the “Buzz Creator”

Beyond the numbers, Mallika Sagar is celebrated for her “nerves of steel.” Whether she is handling the confusion of a “mistaken identity” bid (as seen with Punjab Kings in 2024) or managing the astronomical pressure of a Mega Auction, her calm demeanor has become a signature of the modern IPL experience.

She has effectively replaced the “old guard” of international auctioneers, proving that Indian talent—and specifically female talent—can lead the world’s most lucrative cricket league with unmatched elegance and authority.