Introduction: A New Era for WPL 2026 Mega Auction The WPL 2026 mega auction is set to redefine women’s cricket, promising a thrilling shake-up as franchises gear up for the Women’s Premier League’s fourth season. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allowing teams to retain up to five players, introducing the Right-to-Match (RTM) option, and setting a hefty INR 15 crore auction purse, the stage is set for a high-stakes battle from November 25-29, 2025. This mega auction, the first of its kind for WPL, aims to level the playing field, spotlight uncapped Indian talent, and fuel drama that could rival the IPL’s biggest moments.
Imagine Mumbai Indians (MI) locking in Harmanpreet Kaur, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) banking on Smriti Mandhana, or Gujarat Giants (GG) rebuilding from scratch. The retention deadline looms on November 5, 2025, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will defending champions MI dominate again, or will underdogs like GG steal the spotlight? In this 3,000+ word deep dive, IPL Star unpacks the WPL 2026 mega auction rules, predicts team strategies, and explores its impact on women’s cricket. Let’s get started!
Historical Context: WPL’s Rise and the Mega Auction Revolution
The Women’s Premier League burst onto the scene in March 2023, transforming women’s cricket with its INR 4,669.5 crore media rights deal (Viacom18 and Disney Star, 2023-2027). In three seasons, WPL has delivered blockbuster moments: MI’s 2023 and 2025 titles, RCB’s 2024 triumph, and a record-breaking 2025 Super Over between UP Warriorz (UPW) and RCB that drew 18 million viewers. Viewership soared to 100 million per match in 2025, a 25% jump from 2024, cementing WPL’s status as a global T20 powerhouse.
Yet, the league’s mini-auctions (2024-2025) allowed 14-16 player retentions, fostering stability but stifling competition. Dominant teams like MI, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Natalie Sciver-Brunt, built unassailable cores, while Gujarat Giants languished with just three wins in 2025. The WPL 2026 mega auction changes everything, mirroring the IPL’s mega auctions (e.g., 2022’s INR 551.21 crore spend). Despite pushback from MI, RCB, and Delhi Capitals (DC), who feared losing brand equity, the BCCI opted for a reset to boost parity and unearth new stars.
IPL’s mega auctions offer clues: in 2022, Gujarat Titans (GT) rose from zero retentions to champions, while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retained four to stay competitive. WPL’s rules, with five retentions and RTM, balance continuity and chaos. The uncapped Indian mandate—requiring one uncapped player in five retentions—echoes IPL’s 2022 push for talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal. This move could unearth the next Saika Ishaque, who took 11 wickets for MI in 2025.
The WPL auction strategy will hinge on blending proven stars with emerging talent, all while navigating a tight timeline: retention lists due November 5, player registrations by November 18, and BCCI’s final auction pool on November 20. As X buzzes with excitement—“WPL 2026 auction gonna be wild!”—this auction isn’t just about rosters; it’s about shaping women’s cricket for years to come.
ESPNcricinfo WPL Updates, BCCI Official Site
WPL 2026 Auction Rules: Breaking Down the Game-Changer
The WPL 2026 mega auction introduces a structured yet flexible framework, designed to balance squad continuity with fresh talent infusion. Here’s a detailed look at the WPL auction rules, straight from the BCCI’s October 9, 2025, email to franchises.
Retention Rules and Slabs
Each of the five franchises—Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants—can retain up to five players. The composition is capped:
- Maximum three capped Indian players.
- Maximum two overseas players.
- Maximum two uncapped Indian players (one mandatory if retaining five).
Retention costs follow predefined slabs:
| Retention Slot | Cost (INR Crore) | Player Type Example |
|---|---|---|
| Player 1 | 3.50 | Capped Indian/Overseas |
| Player 2 | 2.50 | Capped Indian/Overseas |
| Player 3 | 1.75 | Capped Indian/Overseas |
| Player 4 | 1.00 | Capped Indian/Overseas |
| Player 5 | 0.50 | Uncapped Indian |
Franchises can negotiate higher or lower salaries, but the actual amount paid is deducted from the INR 15 crore purse. For uncapped Indians, the minimum is INR 50 lakh, ensuring value for emerging stars.
Right-to-Match (RTM) Option
For the first time, WPL introduces the Right to Match WPL option, allowing teams to buy back 2025 squad members during the auction by matching the highest bid. RTM availability depends on retentions:
| Retentions | RTM Available | Purse Deduction (INR Cr) | Balance (INR Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 9.25 | 5.75 |
| 4 | 1 | 8.75 | 6.25 |
| 3 | 2 | 7.75 | 7.25 |
| 2 | 3 | 6.00 | 9.00 |
| 1 | 4 | 3.50 | 11.50 |
| 0 | 5 | 0.00 | 15.00 |
RTM’s historical success in IPL (70% reclamation rate) suggests it could save stars like MI’s Amelia Kerr at auction value, but it may deter aggressive bidding by 15-20%.
Auction Timeline
The BCCI has set a tight schedule:
- November 5, 2025: Retention lists submitted.
- November 7, 2025: Released players list shared.
- November 18, 2025: Player registration deadline.
- November 20, 2025: BCCI releases final auction pool.
- November 25-29, 2025: Mega auction.
This WPL auction strategy framework ensures parity: high-purse teams (zero retentions) can splurge, while low-purse ones (max retentions) leverage RTM. The uncapped mandate fuels India’s talent pipeline, critical after the 2025 T20 World Cup semi-final exit.
WPL 2025 Season Recap: Stars to Retain or Release
The 2025 WPL season, held from February 14 to March 15 across Vadodara, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Lucknow, set the stage for WPL player retentions. Mumbai Indians clinched their second title in three years, defeating Delhi Capitals by eight runs in a nail-biting final. Royal Challengers Bengaluru reached the semi-finals, while UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants faltered. Here’s a recap of standout performers and retention candidates.
2025 Season Standings
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 8 | 7 | 0 (1 NR) | 14 | Harmanpreet Kaur, Natalie Sciver-Brunt |
| Delhi Capitals | 8 | 6 | 2 | 13 | Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma |
| RCB | 8 | 5 | 3 | 12 | Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry |
| UP Warriorz | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone |
| Gujarat Giants | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner |
Top Performers
- Batting:
- Natalie Sciver-Brunt (MI): 456 runs, 142 SR, Orange Cap.
- Harmanpreet Kaur (MI): 348 runs, 140 SR, match-winning 66(44) in final.
- Smriti Mandhana (RCB): 320 runs, consistent opener.
- Shafali Verma (DC): 280 runs, 155 SR, explosive starts.
- Deepti Sharma (UPW): 295 runs, MVP.
- Bowling:
- Amelia Kerr (MI): 16 wickets, Purple Cap, 2-25 in final.
- Sophie Ecclestone (UPW): 14 wickets, spin maestro.
- Asha Shobana (RCB): 14 wickets, uncapped star.
- Saika Ishaque (MI): 11 wickets, 6.50 economy, uncapped gem.
- All-Round:
- Deepti Sharma (UPW): 305 runs, 12 wickets.
- Ellyse Perry (RCB): 250 runs, 10 wickets.
- Grace Harris (UPW): 280 runs, 150 SR.
Retention Hotspots
- MI: Kaur, Sciver-Brunt, Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Saika Ishaque (uncapped).
- RCB: Mandhana, Perry, Sophie Devine, Richa Ghosh, Asha Shobana (uncapped).
- DC: Lanning, Verma, Jess Jonassen, Arundhati Reddy, Titas Sadhu (uncapped).
- UPW: Alyssa Healy, Deepti, Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Kiran Navgire (uncapped).
- GG: Mooney, Gardner, Harleen Deol, Mannat Kashyap (uncapped).
Free agents like Tahlia McGrath (UPW, 250 runs, 8 wickets) and Jemimah Rodrigues (DC, 200 runs) could spark bidding wars, per X posts: “McGrath to GG for INR 2 Cr?” The uncapped Indian players WPL focus ensures talents like Ishaque and Shobana shine.
Franchise Strategies: Crafting the Perfect WPL 2026 Teams
The WPL 2026 teams face a strategic puzzle: retain a championship core or rebuild with a bigger purse? Here, we model three scenarios per franchise—Max Retain (5 players, 0 RTM), Balanced (3 players, 2 RTM), and Minimal (1 player, 4 RTM)—based on 2025 performances and team needs.
Mumbai Indians (2025 Champions)
MI’s dynasty (two titles) rests on Kaur, Sciver-Brunt, and Kerr.
- Max Retain: Kaur (3.5 Cr, capped Indian), Sciver-Brunt (2.5 Cr, overseas), Kerr (1.75 Cr, overseas), Pooja Vastrakar (1 Cr, capped Indian), Ishaque (0.5 Cr, uncapped). Deduction: 9.25 Cr; Balance: 5.75 Cr. Locks core but limits depth.
- Balanced: Kaur, Sciver-Brunt, Kerr (7.75 Cr), RTM for Matthews, Sajana. Balance: 7.25 Cr for spinners.
- Minimal: Kaur (3.5 Cr), 4 RTM. Balance: 11.5 Cr. Risky but flexible. Prediction: Balanced, as MI opposes mega auctions but values stability.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2024 Champs, 2025 Semis)
RCB’s Mandhana-Perry axis needs spin depth.
- Max Retain: Mandhana (3.5 Cr), Perry (2.5 Cr, overseas), Devine (1.75 Cr, overseas), Ghosh (1 Cr, capped Indian), Shobana (0.5 Cr, uncapped). Balance: 5.75 Cr.
- Balanced: Mandhana, Perry, Devine (7.75 Cr), RTM for Ghosh, Shobana. Balance: 7.25 Cr for pace.
- Minimal: Mandhana (3.5 Cr), 4 RTM. Prediction: Max Retain, preserving brand post-2024 glory, despite Devine’s age (41).
Delhi Capitals (2025 Runners-Up)
DC’s batting firepower (Lanning, Verma) needs spin support.
- Max Retain: Lanning (3.5 Cr, overseas), Verma (2.5 Cr, capped Indian), Jonassen (1.75 Cr, overseas), Reddy (1 Cr, capped Indian), Sadhu (0.5 Cr, uncapped). Balance: 5.75 Cr.
- Balanced: Lanning, Verma, Jonassen (7.75 Cr), RTM for Kapp, Rodrigues. Balance: 7.25 Cr.
- Minimal: Lanning (3.5 Cr), 4 RTM. Prediction: Balanced, eyeing uncapped spinners post-Poonam Yadav release.
UP Warriorz (2025 Mid-Table)
Deepti’s MVP heroics couldn’t mask bowling leaks.
- Max Retain: Healy (3.5 Cr, overseas), Deepti (2.5 Cr, capped Indian), Ecclestone (1.75 Cr, overseas), Gayakwad (1 Cr, capped Indian), Navgire (0.5 Cr, uncapped). Balance: 5.75 Cr.
- Balanced: Healy, Deepti, Ecclestone (7.75 Cr), RTM for Harris, McGrath. Balance: 7.25 Cr.
- Minimal: Deepti (3.5 Cr), 4 RTM. Prediction: Minimal, for a pace-heavy rebuild after Lauren Bell’s release.
Gujarat Giants (2025 Bottom)
GG’s three wins demand a reset.
- Max Retain: Mooney (3.5 Cr, overseas), Gardner (2.5 Cr, overseas), Deol (1.75 Cr, capped Indian), Shabnam Shakil (1 Cr, uncapped), Kashyap (0.5 Cr, uncapped). Balance: 5.75 Cr.
- Balanced: Mooney, Gardner (6 Cr), RTM for Litchfield, Rana. Balance: 9 Cr.
- Minimal: Zero retentions, 5 RTM, 15 Cr purse. Prediction: Minimal, targeting Indian pacers like Renuka Singh.
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Impact on Players and Women’s Cricket Ecosystem
The WPL 2026 mega auction reshapes player careers and the broader women’s cricket India landscape.
Player Impacts
- Uncapped Stars: Players like Saika Ishaque (11 wickets) and Asha Shobana (14 wickets) could fetch INR 1-2 crore, rivaling capped stars. The INR 50 lakh minimum ensures value.
- Free Agents: Released players like Tahlia McGrath and Jemimah Rodrigues may spark bidding wars. X posts speculate: “Rodrigues to RCB for INR 2.5 Cr?”
- Overseas Players: With only two overseas slots, stars like Ecclestone and Perry are safe, but aging players like Devine face scrutiny.
Franchise Benefits
- Parity: Zero-retention teams (e.g., GG) can splurge with INR 15 crore, while max-retention teams (e.g., MI) use RTM to reclaim stars cost-effectively.
- Depth: High purses allow investments in Indian finishers (e.g., Rodrigues) and uncapped bowlers.
- Risks: Overpaying (e.g., Mandhana’s 2023 INR 3.4 Cr) or mismatched uncapped picks could strain budgets.
Ecosystem Growth
- Indian Talent Pipeline: The uncapped mandate, post-2025 World Cup semis exit, aims to produce 50+ domestic pros by 2027.
- Global Appeal: WPL’s poaching of WBBL stars (e.g., Grace Harris) elevates standards. Viewership could hit 150 million in 2026, per Viacom18.
- Economic Boost: The INR 15 crore purse (up from 13.5 Cr in 2023) sustains growth, with slabs curbing top-heavy spends.
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Conclusion: The Future of Women’s T20 Cricket
The WPL 2026 mega auction is more than a roster reset—it’s a revolution for Women’s Premier League 2026. With five-player retentions, RTM drama, and an uncapped Indian focus, franchises face defining choices. Will MI’s Kaur-Sciver-Brunt core dominate again? Can GG’s rebuild spark an upset? As the November 5 retention deadline nears, the WPL 2026 teams are poised to reshape women’s cricket.
This auction promises tighter contests, new stars, and global eyes on India’s T20 stage. With viewership soaring and Indian talent rising, WPL 2026 could be the most competitive yet. Stay tuned to IPL Star for live auction updates, and comment below: Who’s your dream WPL 2026 signing?
FAQs: WPL 2026 Mega Auction Explained
1. What is the WPL 2026 mega auction purse? Each Women’s Premier League (WPL) franchise gets an INR 15 crore purse for the WPL 2026 mega auction. Deductions depend on retentions: retaining five players costs INR 9.25 crore, leaving INR 5.75 crore for bidding. This ensures teams balance star retentions with new talent acquisitions.
2. How many players can teams retain in the WPL 2026 mega auction? Teams can retain up to five players, with a maximum of three capped Indians, two overseas players, and two uncapped Indians. If five are retained, one must be an uncapped Indian, boosting uncapped Indian players WPL development.
3. How does the Right to Match (RTM) work in the WPL 2026 auction? The Right to Match WPL allows franchises to match the highest auction bid for players from their 2025 squad. RTM availability varies: zero retentions yield five RTMs, while five retentions leave none. This adds strategic depth to WPL auction rules.
4. Who are the likely player retentions for WPL 2026? Top WPL player retentions include Mumbai Indians’ Harmanpreet Kaur, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, and Amelia Kerr; RCB’s Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry; and Delhi Capitals’ Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma. Uncapped stars like Saika Ishaque and Asha Shobana are also prime picks.
5. Why is the WPL 2026 mega auction important? The WPL 2026 mega auction resets squads, promoting parity among WPL 2026 teams like MI and Gujarat Giants. It fosters competition, unearths new talent, and strengthens India’s T20 pipeline, critical after the 2025 World Cup semi-final exit.
6. When is the WPL 2026 mega auction happening? The Women’s Premier League 2026 auction is scheduled for November 25-29, 2025. Key deadlines include retention submissions by November 5, player registrations by November 18, and BCCI’s final auction pool release on November 20.
7. How does the retention slab system work in WPL 2026? The WPL 2026 retention slabs set costs: INR 3.5 crore (Player 1), INR 2.5 crore (Player 2), INR 1.75 crore (Player 3), INR 1 crore (Player 4), and INR 0.5 crore (Player 5, uncapped). Franchises can negotiate, but actual payments deduct from the WPL auction purse.
8. Which teams will dominate the WPL 2026 auction? MI and RCB may retain strong cores for continuity, while Gujarat Giants, with a full INR 15 crore purse, could dominate bidding. WPL auction strategy will decide whether teams prioritize stars or depth.
9. How does WPL 2026 support uncapped Indian players? The WPL 2026 mega auction mandates one uncapped Indian in five retentions, with a minimum INR 50 lakh salary. This promotes talents like Saika Ishaque, strengthening women’s cricket India.
10. What impact will the WPL 2026 auction have on women’s cricket? The auction will elevate women’s T20 cricket by boosting viewership (projected 150 million), fostering Indian talent, and rivaling global leagues like WBBL. It’s a game-changer for Indian cricket talent and global competitiveness.