Delhi is gearing up to host the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction, a pivotal event where 277 players will vie for only 73 available team slots. This significant number of players includes 83 international cricketers, 155 uncapped Indian talents, and four from Associate nations, creating a diverse talent pool. Twenty-three of these slots are designated for overseas players. After the retention phase, the five franchises collectively possess INR 41.1 crore to spend, setting the stage for a highly competitive bidding process.
A star-studded marquee set will kick off the proceedings, featuring eight top-tier players. India’s prominent all-rounder Deepti Sharma and fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur represent the host nation. The international marquee list is a collection of global stars: Sophie Devine, Sophie Ecclestone, Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Amelia Kerr, and Laura Wolvaardt. All but two players in this elite group have set their reserve price at the maximum INR 50 lakh, highlighting their premium status.
The UP Warriorz are uniquely positioned. Having retained only uncapped Shweta Sehrawat, they command the largest auction purse of INR 14.50 crore and hold four RTM cards. This provides them with considerable flexibility to rebuild their squad and potentially re-acquire key players previously associated with the franchise.
While Australia contributes a substantial 23 players, prominent figures like Tahlia McGrath and Sophie Molineux are not part of the marquee set. England brings 22 players to the auction, New Zealand 13, and South Africa 11. Sri Lanka’s representatives include Chamari Athapaththu, a former UP Warriorz player, alongside Harshitha Samarawickrama and Inoka Ranaweera. Bangladesh’s Marufa Akter, Shorna Akter, and Rabeya Khan are all listed at INR 30 lakh.
A total of 19 players have placed themselves in the INR 50 lakh bracket, signifying their belief in securing lucrative deals. This includes promising batters like Phoebe Litchfield and Harleen Deol, along with all-rounders Pooja Vastrakar and Georgia Wareham. Gujarat Giants face restrictions on retaining Phoebe Litchfield due to their existing overseas player quota. Other established players like Radha Yadav and Sneh Rana are available at INR 30 lakh.
The auction also features a strong contingent of spinners, with Australia’s Alana King at INR 40 lakh and India’s Saika Ishaque at INR 30 lakh. Players from Associate nations like Thailand and the USA are also set to participate. India supplies the largest contingent of players, demonstrating the depth of domestic talent. The WPL 2026 auction promises a dynamic shift in team compositions as franchises strategically invest in talent.
