Women’s Premier League 2026: Teams Gear Up For Biggest Auction In WPL History

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Mega Auction is set to take place soon and it promises to change the competitive landscape of women’s cricket, with teams preparing for what is expected to be the most strategic and financially intense auction yet. Scheduled for November 27, 2025, in New Delhi’s Aerocity, the event brings significant structural changes, including fresh retention slabs, increased purse flexibility, and the much-anticipated introduction of Right to Match (RTM) cards.

This year, the auction pool features 277 cricketers, including 194 Indian players, both capped and uncapped, and 83 overseas players, making it one of the most diverse auctions in WPL history. With 73 total slots available across five teams, including 23 overseas positions, franchises are expected to engage in aggressive bidding, particularly for all-rounders and emerging top-order batters.

The retention rules for WPL 2026 have been a major talking point. Teams are allowed to retain up to five players, using a structured salary deduction system over the amount of money like ₹3.5 crore, ₹2.5 crore, ₹1.75 crore, ₹1 crore, and ₹50 lakh. Importantly, any team retaining five cricketers must keep at least one uncapped Indian player in their lineup. This rule ensures that franchises continue to nurture local talent while maintaining their experienced core.

Among the teams, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians have opted to retain all five players each, leaving them with a remaining purse of ₹5.75 crore for fresh buys. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retained four players, giving them more flexibility with a purse of ₹6.15 crore along with one RTM card. Gujarat Giants enter the auction in a strong position, retaining just two players and holding a massive ₹9 crore purse and three RTM cards, making them one of the most dangerous teams heading into the bidding battle. UP Warriorz, with only one uncapped player retained, have the most significant financial freedom of all.

Several high-impact players are expected to spark fierce bidding. Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma is projected to be one of the most expensive buys of the season, with multiple franchises preparing substantial bids. Emerging talents like Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Disha Kasat, and Kiran Prabhu Navgire are also expected to draw strong interest as teams look to invest in young domestic stars.

This year’s auction carries extra weight due to increasing global interest in women’s cricket, boosted significantly by India’s T20 World Cup victory in 2025. The surge in visibility has raised both player valuations and franchise ambitions, turning WPL 2026 into a landmark moment for the sport.

With high stakes, balanced rosters, and the added strategic twist of RTM cards, the WPL 2026 Auction promises excitement, unpredictability, and a reshaped league ready for a blockbuster new season.