The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction is set to commence on November 27, 2025, in New Delhi, and is expected to be a thrilling event as teams vie to build formidable squads. A total of 277 players will go under the hammer, with franchises aiming to fill 73 available slots, including 23 for overseas players. The auction allows each team to assemble a squad of up to 18 players.
Several high-profile players are expected to spark intense bidding wars. Among them are Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning, Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, Amelia Kerr, Renuka Singh, Sophie Devine, and Laura Wolvaardt, who are part of the marquee set of players.
Deepti Sharma: The Indian all-rounder is highly sought after following her stellar performance in the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup, where she scored 215 runs and took 22 wickets. Sharma's all-round abilities and recent World Cup heroics make her a prime target for multiple teams. She was also named "Player of the Series" in the World Cup. Sharma previously played for UP Warriorz, who may strategically aim to bring her back, given they have the largest purse available at the auction. Deepti Sharma was the recipient of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the 2024 season of the WPL.
Meg Lanning: The former Australian captain and Delhi Capitals leader is another player expected to attract significant attention. Despite being released by Delhi Capitals, Lanning's consistent performance and leadership skills make her a valuable asset. She has scored 952 runs in 27 WPL matches at an average of 39.66 and a strike rate of 127.10. Lanning's recent form in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), including a remarkable innings of 135 runs off 74 balls, has further increased her demand. Delhi Capitals may attempt to reacquire her, but face a challenge with the lowest budget among all teams.
Other Notable Players: Alyssa Healy, known for her explosive starts and wicket-keeping skills, is also expected to be a key target. Sophie Ecclestone, the English spinner, brings immense experience in T20Is and has a solid record in the WPL. Amelia Kerr, the New Zealand all-rounder, is another experienced player with a successful WPL record, making her an attractive option for many teams.
Auction Dynamics: The WPL 2026 auction introduces the Right to Match (RTM) option, allowing teams to buy back players from their 2025 squad. The number of RTM options available depends on the number of players retained by each team. UP Warriorz, having retained only one player, has the largest purse (INR 14.5 crore) and four RTM options. In contrast, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, with five retained players each, have the lowest purses and no RTM options. All five teams will have a combined purse of INR 41.1 crore to spend at the auction.
The auction is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) and will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network TV channels in India and live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
