The WPL 2026 auction marks a pivotal moment for women's franchise cricket, with all five teams reshaping their cores ahead of the league's fourth season in Delhi on November 27.
With 277 players going under the hammer and significant purse space available, franchises are preparing for aggressive bidding to secure both emerging Indian talent and proven overseas match-winners.
This is the first mega auction in WPL history, effectively resetting squads after the initial three-season cycle and giving teams a chance to rebuild from the ground up. A total of 277 cricketers - 194 Indians and 83 overseas - have registered for the event, with the auction starting in Delhi.
There are 73 slots available across the five franchises, of which 50 are reserved
for Indian players and 23 for overseas options. Each team must carry at least 15 players and can go up to 18, with a maximum of six overseas cricketers permitted in any squad.
The combined remaining purse across all franchises stands at just over INR 41 crore following retentions, ensuring ample scope for blockbuster signings. UP Warriorz enter the auction with the biggest war chest at INR 14.5 crore, followed by Gujarat Giants with INR 9 crore, while RCB, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals have just over INR 5-6 crore each.
Like the years before, this upcoming auction promises the franchises to break the bank for players. With top stars up for grabs, we can expect teams such as the Giants and Warriorz to create bidding wars.
Who is the Most Expensive WPL Player?
So far, Smriti Mandhana remains the most expensive player in the history of WPL. She was picked up for Rs 3.40 crore by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the inaugural season. She has been retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auction, with a salaray of Rs 3.50 crore.
WPL Most Expensive Buys in each Auction
In the previous mini auction, Simran Sheikh was a huge pick as Mumbai Indians paid Rs 1.90 crore for her. In the WPL 2024, Annabel Sutherland and Kashvee Gautam both fetched Rs 2 crore from the auction and was bought by Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants respectively.
| Year | Player | Nationality | Price (INR crore) | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Smriti Mandhana | India | 3.40 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 2024 | Annabel Sutherland | Australia | 2.00 | Delhi Capitals |
| 2024 | Kashvee Gautham | India | 2.00 | Gujarat Giants |
| 2025 | Simran Shaikh | India | 1.90 | Gujarat Giants |
