The women’s cricket world is officially on Mega Auction Countdown!
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) governing body has confirmed that the WPL 2026 Mega Auction will take place on November 27 in New Delhi. This high-stakes event, just over a week away, is poised to dramatically reshape the five franchises, with only 17 players retained across the entire league.
This is the moment franchises will define their strategy for the next three seasons, battling for global superstars and rising Indian talent.
The Numbers Game WPL 2026 Mega Auction Confirmed for Nov 27: Slots, Stars, and Cash
The WPL has confirmed the huge number of spots available, ensuring a fierce bidding war.
- Total Slots to Fill: 73 (including 23 crucial overseas slots).
- Total Retained Players: Only 17 were kept across all five teams, demonstrating a commitment to major squad overhauls.
- Total Purse Available: The five teams have a combined total of ₹41.1 crore to spend on rebuilding their squads.
The Marquee Names: Who is Going Under the Hammer?
The biggest headline is the availability of several international heavyweights and Indian World Cup winners. These players are set to attract bids exceeding the top retained salaries.
- Deepti Sharma: The 2025 Women’s World Cup Player of the Tournament headlines the auction pool after being released by UP Warriorz. She is expected to be one of the costliest players.
- The Aussies: Former champions Meg Lanning and star wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy are among the high-profile overseas players released and now available.
- South Africa Power: World Cup leading run-scorer and South Africa Captain, Laura Wolvaardt, is also set to be a major target.
Franchise War Chests and Strategies
The retention list has created huge disparities in the financial and strategic strength of the teams entering the auction.
| Team Name | Purse Remaining (INR) | Available RTM Cards | Strategy |
| UP Warriorz | ₹14.50 crore (Highest) | 4 | Full Rebuild: Released all big names, seeking new foundation. |
| Gujarat Giants | ₹9.00 crore | 3 | Strategic Rebuild: Targeting key Indian and international players. |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹6.15 crore | 1 | Minor Tweaks: Built around retained core (Mandhana, Perry). |
| Mumbai Indians | ₹5.75 crore | 0 | Settled Core: Retained maximum five players (Harmanpreet, Sciver-Brunt). |
| Delhi Capitals | ₹5.70 crore (Lowest) | 0 | Settled Core: Retained maximum five players (Shafali, Jemimah) to fill gaps strategically. |
The WPL 2026 Mega Auction promises high drama, big spending, and the creation of a new set of dominant teams. Tune in on November 27 to see where the biggest stars land!
