WPL 2026 Mega Auction Analysis: Full Squad Breakdowns & Predicted First XIs of All Teams

The WPL 2026 Mega Auction produced its most dramatic edition yet, highlighted by record-breaking buys, surprise omissions, and strong squad overhauls. Deepti Sharma emerged as the costliest player at ₹3.20

crore (via RTM), while Amelia Kerr, Meg Lanning, Shree Charani, and Laura Wolvaardt were among the top headline picks.

With 67 players selected across 77 slots, teams strengthened their line-ups with a mix of global superstars and rising Indian talent.

Key Auction Headlines

• Deepti Sharma becomes the highest buy of WPL 2026 at ₹3.20 crore (RTM).
• Amelia Kerr returns to MI for ₹3 crore.
• UP Warriorz buy Meg Lanning for ₹1.90 crore.
• Shree Charani to DC for ₹1.30 crore after intense bidding.
• Laura Wolvaardt joins DC for ₹1.10 crore.
• Alyssa Healy and Alana King remain unsold.
• UP Warriorz emerge with the strongest and most balanced auction haul.

Mumbai Indians (MI)

Players: 16 (6 overseas)

Analysis: MI focused on retaining their champion core while adding Amelia Kerr for ₹3 crore and Shabnim Ismail for pace firepower. With an abundance of all-rounders, MI remains one of the most balanced squads in the league.

Weakness: Lack of specialist bowlers.

Predicted MI First XI

1. G Kamalini (wk)
2. Hayley Matthews
3. Nat Sciver-Brunt
4. Harmanpreet Kaur (capt)
5. Amelia Kerr
6. Amanjot Kaur
7. Poonam Khemnar
8. S Sajana
9. Sanskriti Gupta
10. Shabnim Ismail
11. Saika Ishaque

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Players: 16 (6 overseas)

Analysis: Strong overseas contingent with Mandhana, Harris, Perry, and Ghosh providing firepower. However, Indian middle-order depth remains a concern.

Predicted RCB First XI

1. Smriti Mandhana (capt)
2. Grace Harris
3. Ellyse Perry
4. D Hemalatha
5. Richa Ghosh (wk)
6. Nadine de Klerk
7. Pooja Vastrakar
8. Radha Yadav
9. Shreyanka Patil
10. Arundhati Reddy
11. Lauren Bell

UP Warriorz (UPW)

Players: 18 (6 overseas)

Analysis: The biggest winners of the auction, UPW assembled a powerhouse squad featuring Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning, Shikha Pandey, Phoebe Litchfield, and Sophie Ecclestone.

Predicted UPW First XI

1. Meg Lanning
2. Kiran Navgire
3. Harleen Deol
4. Phoebe Litchfield
5. Deepti Sharma
6. Deandra Dottin
7. Sophie Ecclestone
8. Asha Sobhana
9. Shipra Giri (wk)
10. Shikha Pandey
11. Kranti Gaud

Delhi Capitals (DC)

Players: 16 (6 overseas)

Analysis: DC added Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Charani, Sneh Rana to an already formidable top order featuring Shafali, Jemimah, Kapp, and Sutherland. Their only weak spot is a thin Indian pace attack.

Predicted DC First XI

1. Shafali Verma
2. Laura Wolvaardt
3. Jemimah Rodrigues
4. Marizanne Kapp
5. Annabel Sutherland
6. Chinelle Henry
7. Niki Prasad
8. Taniya Bhatia (wk)
9. Sneh Rana
10. Shree Charani
11. Nandani Sharma

Gujarat Giants (GG)

Players: 18 (6 overseas)

Analysis: With Mooney, Gardner, Wareham, and Devine, the Giants have a world-class overseas lineup. But their Indian batting depth remains a concern.

Predicted GG First XI

1. Beth Mooney (wk)
2. Sophie Devine
3. Bharti Fulmali
4. Ashleigh Gardner
5. Georgia Wareham
6. Kanika Ahuja
7. Ayushi Soni
8. Kashvee Gautam
9. Tanuja Kanwar
10. Titas Sadhu
11. Renuka Singh