Who is Mallika Sagar? Meet the woman set to conduct the IPL 2026 auction

Mallika Sagar, a groundbreaking figure in the auction world, is slated to lead the IPL 2026 auction. Her career uniquely blends the worlds of fine art and elite sports. Sagar made history as Christie's first Indian woman auctioneer in New York. Since then, she has broken barriers in Indian sports, becoming the first female auctioneer for both the Pro Kabaddi League and the Women's Premier League.

Sagar will be a prominent figure at the IPL 2026 auction on Tuesday, December 16. For many fans, her presence has become a familiar part of the IPL auction experience. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. her composed demeanor belies an unusual and pioneering journey. Born in Mumbai in 1975, Sagar has forged a distinctive career that bridges fine art and elite sports auctions. Growing up in a business-oriented family, her interest in auctioneering was unexpectedly sparked by a book featuring a female auctioneer. This early inspiration guided her down a path less traveled in India.

Sagar's academic path led her from Mumbai to Connecticut before she earned an Art History degree from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia. She began her professional career in 2001 at Sotheby’s London, where she developed expertise in Indian and South Asian art. Her rise was rapid and historic. At 26, she became Christie’s first Indian woman auctioneer in New York, specializing in modern and contemporary Indian art. This achievement established her credibility on the global auction stage. After gaining international experience, Sagar returned to Mumbai and collaborated with institutions like Pundole’s Art Gallery. Her success in the art world paved the way for her transition to sports auctions, where her clarity, precision, and authority quickly distinguished her. A turning point arrived in 2021 when she was appointed the first female auctioneer in the Pro Kabaddi League, breaking barriers in a male-dominated arena. Two years later, she was entrusted with leading the inaugural Women’s Premier League auction, solidifying her influence in Indian sports. Subsequently, she conducted the IPL 2024 mini-auction and the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 2025, Sagar achieved another milestone by leading the WPL 2026 auction, reinforcing her status as a leading auctioneer in the sport.