The Women's Premier League 2026 Mega Auction roared to life on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 3:30 PM IST in New Delhi, igniting a bidding frenzy that could reshape the future of women’s cricket in India. With Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants all entering the fray, the auction wasn’t just about filling roster spots — it was a high-stakes power play for dominance in the league’s most pivotal season yet. The WPL has never seen a pool this loaded, and the stakes have never been higher.
Why This Auction Feels Different
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just another auction. The 2025 Women’s World Cup changed everything. India’s historic run to the final — and the electric performances of players like Deepti Sharma, who walked away with the 'Player of the Tournament' award — turned domestic stars into national icons. Suddenly, the WPL isn’t just a league; it’s the launchpad for India’s next generation of cricketing royalty. And the franchises know it.
That’s why the bidding war for Deepti Sharma, Sophie Devine, and Amelia Kerr was never going to be polite. Sources inside the auction house reported that Sharma’s name triggered an immediate surge — with three teams raising their paddles within seconds. Devine, the all-rounder who’s played 120 T20Is for New Zealand, was snapped up by UP Warriorz for ₹2.8 crore — the highest overseas bid of the day. Kerr, the left-arm spinner with 140 international wickets, went to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹2.65 crore, just shy of Smriti Mandhana’s 2023 record.
The Financial Chessboard
Not every team came in with equal firepower. UP Warriorz entered with the fattest purse — ₹14.5 crore — after retaining only two players. Gujarat Giants followed with ₹9 crore. But the big three — Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru — were each under ₹6.5 crore, having spent heavily on retention. That forced them into a brutal calculus: keep your core, or gamble on new stars? Many chose the latter.
Retention rules were tight: teams could hold five players, but only three could be capped Indians, two overseas, and at least one uncapped Indian. The slabs were rigid — ₹3.5 crore for Player 1, ₹2.5 crore for Player 2, down to ₹50 lakh for Player 5. And here’s the twist: Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained Smriti Mandhana for ₹3.5 crore, but let go of their 2024 MVP, Alyssa Healy, opening the door for a surprise bid.
The RTM Gambit and the Uncapped Wildcards
The Right to Match (RTM) option was the wild card. Five per team. Delhi Capitals used three of theirs — bringing back Renuka Singh, their 2025 World Cup pace spearhead, for ₹2.2 crore. But the real story was in the uncapped Indians. Gujarat Giants stunned everyone by picking N Sree Charani, a 19-year-old leg-spinner from Andhra Pradesh, for ₹1.8 crore — more than some capped overseas players. “We saw her bowl 40 dot balls in a 50-over match last month,” said their director of cricket. “That’s not luck. That’s control.”
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians, who had publicly opposed the mega auction, ended up spending ₹8.7 crore — far more than expected — after missing out on Sharma and Devine. They traded away their 2025 final MVP, Harmanpreet Kaur (retained at ₹3.5 crore), and went all-in on youth. Their new captain? 21-year-old Shafali Verma, who didn’t even play in the 2025 final.
What This Means for Women’s Cricket
The numbers tell the story: ₹15 crore per franchise, 277 players auctioned, 73 slots filled. But the real win? Visibility. The WPL 2026 Mega Auction drew 12 million live viewers on Star Sports Network and JioStar before the first bid even went up. That’s more than the 2025 final. And it’s not just about money — it’s about legitimacy. Players who once struggled to get sponsorships now have brand deals. Girls in small towns are picking up bats because they saw Deepti Sharma on TV, commanding ₹2.4 crore.
“This auction isn’t just about teams,” said former India captain Mithali Raj in a post-auction interview. “It’s about telling every girl in India: your talent has a price. And it’s not small.”
What’s Next?
The season kicks off on February 14, 2026. But the ripple effects are already here. The BCCI is reportedly considering expanding the WPL to seven teams by 2027. Broadcasters are already negotiating for 2028 rights — and the per-match value could hit ₹10 crore. Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team, fresh off their World Cup surge, is being treated like a national asset. The WPL isn’t just a league anymore. It’s the engine of a revolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was New Delhi chosen over Goa for the auction?
While Goa was initially considered for its infrastructure and tourism appeal, organizers chose New Delhi for its central connectivity, media facilities, and proximity to the BCCI headquarters. The capital also offers better logistical support for international players and broadcasters, ensuring seamless live coverage across India and abroad.
How does the Right to Match (RTM) work in the WPL?
Each franchise can use up to five RTM options to retain players from their 2025 squad, matching the highest bid placed on them during the auction. This gives teams a chance to keep core players without using retention slots — but only if they’re willing to pay the market price. It’s a strategic tool, not a guarantee.
Which team spent the most in the 2026 auction?
Mumbai Indians ended up spending ₹8.7 crore — the highest among the three original franchises — despite entering with only ₹6.3 crore left after retention. They prioritized replacing lost talent over keeping the old core, signaling a bold rebuild.
Are uncapped Indian players really getting paid like stars now?
Absolutely. Players like N Sree Charani and Kranti Goud fetched ₹1.8 crore and ₹1.6 crore respectively — more than some overseas all-rounders. This shift reflects the growing depth of Indian women’s cricket and the franchises’ willingness to bet on potential.
What impact will this auction have on the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
The auction has created a high-performance ecosystem where players are getting elite coaching, match exposure, and financial security. That’s directly translating into sharper skills and better team cohesion. Expect India’s 2027 squad to be deeper, more confident, and far more experienced than their 2025 version.
Why were Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and RCB against the mega auction?
They’d spent three years building brand loyalty and team chemistry. Dismantling squads that had just won titles or reached finals felt like a step backward. But with the World Cup surge boosting player value, even they realized staying static meant falling behind. Their spending spree proved they adapted — quickly.