WPL Auction 2026 : The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has been a game-changer for women’s cricket in India, blending high-stakes drama with explosive talent. As we edge closer to the end of 2025, all eyes are on the WPL Auction 2026, a mega event that’s set to reshape the five franchises for the upcoming season. With retentions locked in and purses ready to burn, this auction promises fireworks. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual follower, here’s everything you need to know about what’s brewing in New Delhi.
Retained Stars : Building Blocks for WPL Success
Franchises had until November 7, 2025, to announce their retentions, and they set the stage for some intriguing battles at the auction table. Each team could hold onto up to six players under a tiered pricing structure—starting at ₹3.5 crore for the top pick and dropping to ₹50 lakh for the sixth. This strategic move has left a combined purse of ₹41.1 crore to fill 73 slots across the league.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the retained squads:
| Team | Key Retained Players | Retention Count | Notes |
| Delhi Capitals | Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp (SA), Annabel Sutherland (AUS), Niki Prasad | 5 | Strong overseas core intact. |
| Gujarat Giants | Ashleigh Gardner (AUS), Beth Mooney (AUS) | 2 | Minimal retentions—big shopping spree ahead! |
| Mumbai Indians | Harmanpreet Kaur, Natalie Sciver-Brunt (ENG), Amanjot Kaur, G Kamalini, Hayley Matthews (WI) | 5 | Captain Harmanpreet leads the charge. |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry (AUS), Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil | 4 | Balanced mix of bat and ball. |
| UP Warriorz | Shweta Sehrawat | 1 | Only one retention—maximum flexibility. |
These retentions highlight a focus on proven performers, but the real excitement lies in the uncapped gems and released stars hitting the auction block.
WPL Auction 2026: Date, Venue, and Viewing Guide
Mark your calendars for November 27, 2025—that’s when the WPL Auction 2026 kicks off in New Delhi. This one-day extravaganza will see auctioneer Mallika Sagar wielding the gavel to fill squads with up to 18 players each, including a cap of 23 overseas talents league-wide. With UP Warriorz boasting the fattest purse at ₹14.50 crore and four Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, expect some fierce bidding wars.
How to Catch the Action Live
- Streaming Platforms: JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar for seamless mobile viewing.
- TV Coverage: Star Sports Network, bringing the drama to your living room.
- Pro Tip: The full player pool of over 300 cricketers drops just days before, so stay tuned for surprises.
The season itself is slated to ignite from January 7 to February 3, 2026, with venues and fixtures announced right after the hammer falls.
Auction Pool Highlights: Stars Ready to Sparkle
The WPL Auction 2026 pool is stacked with firepower, fresh off the 2025 Women’s T20 World Cup. Released heavyweights like Alyssa Healy (AUS), Meg Lanning (AUS), and Amelia Kerr (NZ) are back in the mix, alongside rising Indian stars. Deepti Sharma, the World Cup Player of the Tournament, could command top dollar, while South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt (571 runs in the tournament) eyes a blockbuster deal.
Other must-watch names:
- Nadine de Klerk (SA): Pace all-rounder, ex-Mumbai Indians.
- Renuka Singh (IND): Swing queen looking for a new home.
- Sophie Ecclestone (ENG): Spin wizard with mystery variations.
Franchises like Gujarat Giants (₹9 crore purse) and RCB (three RTMs) have the tools to snag bargains, but Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals might need to get creative with their slimmer budgets.
Purse and RTM Breakdown
| Team | Remaining Purse | RTM Cards |
| Delhi Capitals | ₹5.70 crore | 2 |
| Gujarat Giants | ₹9.00 crore | 3 |
| Mumbai Indians | ₹5.75 crore | 0 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹6.15 crore | 3 |
| UP Warriorz | ₹14.50 crore | 4 |
Why the WPL Auction 2026 Matters More Than Ever
Beyond the bids, this auction is about elevating women’s cricket. With global talents converging and Indian youngsters stepping up, it’s a testament to WPL‘s growth since its 2023 debut. Will UP Warriorz splash big on Healy to rebuild? Can Gujarat Giants finally assemble a title contender? The answers unfold in just over a week.
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