The Women’s Premier League WPL 2026 Mega Auction Targets, scheduled for November 27th, was always going to be a high-stakes affair. Yet, the official retention lists dropped a bombshell across the entire tournament: several of the league’s biggest names, including proven match-winners and perennial title contenders, were released. This isn’t just a simple squad refresh; it’s a SHOCKWAVE that has fundamentally altered the competitive balance of the league.
With teams like UP Warriorz heading into the auction with a mammoth ₹14.5 crore purse and four Right To Match (RTM) cards, and Gujarat Giants sitting on ₹9 crore, the spending power is immense. The question is no longer who teams want, but who they are forced to buy to rebuild their core. The surprising release of players like Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning, and Amelia Kerr means the WPL 2026 auction will be less about finding role players and more about an all-out war for certified superstars.
If a franchise wants to win the title, their primary target list must begin with these two released giants.
The Top Indian Target: Why Deepti Sharma is Non-Negotiable
The single most surprising, and most impactful, release was that of Deepti Sharma by the UP Warriorz. She wasn’t just a member of their squad; she was their highest-profile Indian player, a hat-trick hero, and a consistent contributor across all three facets of the game.
Why she is a must-buy for every team:
- Elite Indian Core: There is a finite pool of world-class Indian talent. Deepti is arguably the best all-rounder India has produced in years. She was the Player of the Tournament at the recent Women’s World Cup 2025, recording the historic double of 200 runs and 20 wickets in a single World Cup edition. Her current international form demands a premium price.
- Triple Threat Value: Deepti brings the rare trifecta of an Indian player who can:
- Anchor a middle-order inning (she was UPW’s leading run-scorer in the 2024 WPL with 295 runs).
- Bowl four overs of economical, wicket-taking off-spin (including a WPL hat-trick).
- Provide incredible fielding prowess.
- The UP Warriorz Dilemma: UPW released her to reset their core and gain the maximum auction flexibility (₹14.5 crore purse). They hold an RTM card, but will they use it? If she is bid up above ₹3 crore, a team like Gujarat Giants could snatch her, solving their problem of finding a world-class Indian anchor. The bidding for Deepti will set the benchmark for the entire auction.
Target Team Matchup: Gujarat Giants (GG)
GG has a decent overseas core but desperately needs a stable, high-impact Indian star to build around. Pairing Deepti Sharma with the experience of Beth Mooney provides instant leadership and multi-dimensional strength.
The Overseas Target: The Meg Lanning Captaincy Vacuum
The second biggest headline was the release of Meg Lanning by the Delhi Capitals (DC). While DC has made three consecutive finals, they ultimately failed to lift the trophy, leading to the decision to revamp. But Lanning’s availability creates a seismic hole in the captaincy market.
Why Lanning commands the overseas war chest:
- Unmatched Leadership: Lanning is universally regarded as the greatest captain in women’s cricket history, boasting multiple World Cup and Ashes titles. Her presence instantly elevates a team’s strategy and professionalism. DC’s success over three years was a direct result of her stability at the top.
- Top-Order Runs: She is not merely a captain; Lanning was the second-highest run-scorer in WPL 2024, proving her batting output remains elite in the T20 format. She provides stable, aggressive starts that anchor any innings.
- The Captaincy Crunch: Both UP Warriorz (who retained just one uncapped player) and Gujarat Giants (who retained only two overseas players) lack established, proven captains for the 2026 cycle. Lanning is the definitive solution for both franchises. The team that secures her will not just gain a batter but an instant championship blueprint.
Target Team Matchup: UP Warriorz (UPW)
UPW, having cleared the deck and holding the largest purse, is perfectly positioned to offer Lanning a contract that reflects her value. They need a proven leader more than anyone after their disappointing run. Installing Lanning instantly transforms their culture from chaotic to championship-ready.
The All-Rounder Scramble: Amelia Kerr and Tahlia McGrath
Beyond the top two, the auction will feature a fierce battle for top-tier overseas all-rounders—a key component for T20 success.
Amelia Kerr (Released by MI): Kerr is a phenomenal T20 player, excelling with both her aggressive leg-spin and powerful middle-order batting. Mumbai Indians retained their full overseas quota (Matthews and Sciver-Brunt), making Kerr an unavoidable, high-profile release. Kerr is a high-demand player because she can slot into any team’s XI without disrupting their overseas balance.
Tahlia McGrath (Released by UPW): McGrath provides strong pace-bowling depth—a rare commodity—combined with destructive batting. Her release gives UPW the purse space, but they will likely need to re-purchase her or a similar quality overseas all-rounder.
The teams with the least money (MI and DC) will be praying these players don’t go too high, while the teams with the most (UPW, GG) will be forced to spend big on these dynamic players to fill their newly created vacancies. The WPL 2026 Mega Auction is no longer about marginal upgrades; it’s a high-octane rebuild centered on these seismic releases.
The franchises that land the core of Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning, or an equally impactful all-rounder will be the ones hoisting the trophy next season.
