Who Is Mallika Sagar? IPL Auctioneer, Career, Net Worth & Life

When the gavel comes down at India’s biggest sporting auctions, one calm, composed voice has increasingly come to define the moment. IPL auctioneer Mallika Sagar has emerged as a trailblazer, carving out a unique space at the intersection of art, commerce, and sport. From international art auction rooms to the high-pressure theatre of the Indian Premier League, her journey is both unconventional and historic.

Auction briefing ✅

What goes on the day before the auction? 🤔
What is it like to run the show at the #TATAIPLAuction? 🔨

🎥 🔽 Hear it all from auctioneer Mallika Sagar as she takes centre stage again – By @RajalArora #TATAIPL
https://t.co/wiX1OHOTfG

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 16, 2025

So, who is Mallika Sagar, and how did she rise to become one of the most recognisable auctioneers in Indian sport? Here’s a detailed look at her background, education, career, personal life, net worth, and key moments that have shaped her public profile.

Early Life and Background

Mallika Sagar was born on 3 August 1975 in Mumbai, into a business family. Her father, Virenchce Vithalbhai Sagar, was a businessman. She spent her early years in Mumbai and completed her schooling there until Class 10, after which she moved to the United States for Classes 11 and 12.

Her interest in auctioneering took shape at a young age. As a teenager, Sagar read a book in which the protagonist was a female auctioneer, a moment she has credited as the spark that inspired her career choice. What began as a passing fascination would later become a defining professional path.

Education and Academic Qualifications

Mallika Sagar pursued higher education in the United States and graduated from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, earning a degree in the history of art. At the end of her academic programme, she submitted a thesis on modern Indian artists, reflecting an early and sustained engagement with contemporary art.

Her academic grounding in art history became the foundation for her professional credibility, shaping her ability to evaluate, present, and contextualise artworks in high-stakes auction environments.

Career: From Art Auctions to Sporting History

Early Career in Art Auctioneering

Mallika Sagar’s professional career began with internships at Christie’s, first in Mumbai and later in New York, where she worked for two summers. Following her graduation, she secured a full-time role at Christie’s and officiated her first auction in New York in December 2000, selling baseball souvenirs.

In 2001, she came into the international spotlight by becoming Christie’s first woman auctioneer of Indian origin, conducting an auction of 20th-century Indian paintings in New York. The sale included works by Indian masters such as Raza, V.S. Gaitonde, and Ram Kumar.

 

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She left Christie’s in 2004 and later began her own practice as an art consultant. In April 2011, she conducted her first major art auction at Mumbai’s Pundole Art Gallery, followed by numerous modern and contemporary art auctions. Over the years, she also held directorial and partnership roles in multiple companies, including Manisha Trading and Investments Private Ltd., Fulmala Enterprises LLP, and others.

Entry Into Sports Auctions

Mallika Sagar entered sports auctioneering in 2021, when she conducted the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) player auction, becoming the first woman to do so. She later revealed that veteran auctioneer Hugh Edmeades introduced her to sports auctions by inviting her to be his backup for the IPL 2021 auction, held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her transition from art to sport proved seamless. In February 2023, she conducted the auction for the Women’s Premier League (WPL), a milestone event for women’s cricket in India.

IPL Auctions and Major Achievements

Mallika Sagar made history on 19 December 2023, when she became the first female auctioneer to conduct an Indian Premier League auction, leading the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai, where 333 cricketers competed for 77 slots. She replaced Hugh Edmeades, who had stepped away due to health issues after collapsing during a previous auction.

Confirmed: Like Last year, Mallika Sagar again will lead the IPL 2026 auction. #IPL2026 #IPLAuction #MiniAuction #MallikaSagar #CharuSharma pic.twitter.com/LQQiW5bupO

— CricketBatPro (@cricketbetpro) December 16, 2025

She was subsequently appointed as the auctioneer for the IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is set to continue her role at the IPL 2026 mini auction. These repeated appointments have cemented her reputation as a trusted figure behind the gavel.

Among her notable on-stage moments was an incident during the IPL 2024 auction when Punjab Kings attempted to withdraw a bid for Shashank Singh after the hammer had gone down. Sagar denied the request, insisting the auction rules be respected. In another moment, she accidentally referred to Gujarat Titans as Gujarat Giants, a name associated with a Pro Kabaddi League team.

Personal Life and Family

Mallika Sagar was previously married to Vir Advani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Blue Star Ltd. The couple divorced in 2017. She has one son.

Her siblings include Kunal Sagar, Rahul Sagar and sister Maneesha R Bhat, both her brother businessmen associated with Nirlon Ltd. Her mother’s name is not publicly known.

Mallika Sagar Net Worth and Salary

Mallika Sagar net worth has not been publicly disclosed in exact figures. Similarly, there is no official information available regarding Mallika Sagar’s IPL auction salary. What is known from her career trajectory is that she has worked across elite international art auction houses and has been repeatedly appointed to conduct some of the world’s most high-profile sports auctions, positions typically reserved for highly experienced professionals.

Why Mallika Sagar Matters?

Beyond titles and milestones, Mallika Sagar’s significance lies in representation. Her presence at the helm of IPL, WPL, and PKL auctions has broken long-standing gender barriers, reshaping perceptions of who can command the world’s most-watched auction stages.

With her calm authority, precise pacing, and deep preparation, Mallika Sagar has redefined the role of an auctioneer whether selling a masterpiece or a fast bowler, making her one of the most influential figures behind the gavel in modern Indian sport.

FAQs

1. Who is Mallika Sagar and what is her profession?
   Mallika Sagar is an Indian auctioneer and art specialist who conducts major sports auctions, including the IPL, WPL, and Pro Kabaddi League.
2. What is Mallika Sagar’s age and profession?
   Born on 3 August 1975, Mallika Sagar is an auctioneer by profession, with experience in international art auctions and Indian sports leagues.
3. What is Mallika Sagar’s educational qualification?
   Mallika Sagar holds a degree in the history of art from Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, United States.
4. What is Mallika Sagar’s net worth?
   Mallika Sagar’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. No official figures regarding her earnings are available in the public domain.
5. How much is Mallika Sagar’s salary for IPL auctions?
   Mallika Sagar’s IPL auction salary has not been officially revealed. The IPL has not published auctioneer compensation details.
6. What are Mallika Sagar’s major achievements?
   Her achievements include becoming the first female auctioneer for the IPL, WPL, and Pro Kabaddi League player auctions.
7. Who is Mallika Sagar’s father?
   Mallika Sagar’s father is Virenchce Vithalbhai Sagar, who was a businessman.
8. When did Mallika Sagar start sports auctioneering?
   She entered sports auctioneering in 2021, when she conducted the Pro Kabaddi League player auction.
9. Is Mallika Sagar active on social media?
   There is no publicly available information confirming Mallika Sagar’s social media presence or follower count.

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