The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction was held on 27 November 2025 in New Delhi. It turned into a thrilling spectacle as all five franchises—UP Warriorz, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Giants—battled to craft their dream squads. A total of 277 players, including 194 Indians and 83 overseas stars, vied for 73 coveted slots, making the auction a nail-biting experience for fans and franchises alike.
Deepti Sharma Becomes Record-Breaking Buy
India’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma stole the spotlight by becoming the costliest player in WPL history, joining UP Warriorz for Rs 3.20 crore. Her exceptional form as Player of the Tournament in India’s World Cup–winning campaign made her a highly sought-after asset. In contrast, Australian star Alyssa Healy went unsold.
WPL 2026 Auction: Full List of Top Picks
WPL Auction 2026: Key Moves and Big Spends 🏏💰
The #WPL2026 auction saw franchises aggressively reshaping their squads, prioritising proven all-rounders, experienced batters and specialist bowlers. UP Warriorz retained their core, Mumbai Indians backed continuity, while Gujarat…
— Buzz Alerts (@BuzzAlertsLive) November 28, 2025
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians entered the auction with one of the lowest purses but walked away with a balanced and battle-ready squad. Amelia Kerr was brought back for Rs 3 crore, while Sajeevan Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, and Saika Ishaque were retained. Nicola Carey adds all-round depth, and the squad remains strong across batting, bowling, and fielding departments.
Best Playing XI:
Hayley Matthews
G Kamalini (wk)
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Harmanpreet Kaur (C)
Amelia Kerr
Sajeevan Sajana
Amanjot Kaur
Nicola Carey
Sanskriti Gupta
Saika Ishaque
Shabnim Ismail
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals focused on building a future-ready squad, splashing cash on Laura Wolvaardt, Shree Charani, and Chinelle Henry. Jemimah Rodrigues, Taniya Bhatia, and Lizelle Lee strengthen the batting, while Lucy Hamilton and 16-year-old Deeya Yadav add pace depth. The squad balances experience, talent, and youth.
Best Playing XI:
Laura Wolvaardt
Shafali Verma
Jemimah Rodrigues
Niki Prasad
Annabel Sutherland
Mamatha Madiwala (wk)
Marizanne Kapp
Chinelle Henry
Sneh Rana
Minnu Mani
Shree Charani
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru focused on proven international performers with strong WPL experience. Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, and Nadine de Klerk strengthen the batting, while Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, and Lauren Bell provide pace options. Linsey Smith and Radha Yadav anchor the spin attack, with emerging star Shreyanka Patil adding youthful energy.
Best Playing XI:
Smriti Mandhana (C)
Georgia Voll / Grace Harris
Ellyse Perry
Dayalan Hemalatha
Richa Ghosh (wk)
Nadine de Klerk
Pooja Vastrakar
Shreyanka Patil
Radha Yadav
Arundhati Reddy
Lauren Bell / Linsey Smith
UP Warriorz
UP Warriorz were highly active at the auction, signing Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, and Deandra Dottin. Sophie Ecclestone strengthens the spin department, while Kiran Navgire, Shikha Pandey, and Kranti Goud add domestic depth. The squad is packed with talent, firepower, and match-winning potential.
Best Playing XI:
Kiran Navgire
Meg Lanning
Deandra Dottin
Harleen Deol
Deepti Sharma
Phoebe Litchfield
Shipra Giri (wk)
Sophie Ecclestone
Shikha Pandey
Tara Norris
Kranti Goud
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants struggled to find consistency in the WPL. While retaining Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner, they faced depth and performance issues. Sophie Devine’s reliability is uncertain following her T20I retirement, and Yastika Bhatia carries injury concerns. Key contributions from Renuka Singh, Tanuja Kanwar, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad will determine their success.
Best Playing XI:
Beth Mooney
Sophie Devine
Yastika Bhatia (wk)
Ashleigh Gardner (C)
Bharati Fulmali
Kanika Ahuja
Kashvee Gautam
Georgia Wareham
Renuka Singh
Tanuja Kanwar
Rajeshwari Gayakwad
The WPL 2026 auction promises a season full of thrilling cricket. All five franchises are now ready to showcase their star-studded squads from January 9 onwards.
