WPL 2026 Mega Auction is set to be the biggest turning point in women’s cricket history. For the first time ever, the Right to Match (RTM) card makes its debut. Five franchises will go head-to-head in New Delhi with a ₹15 crore purse each. The auction hammer drops on November 26–27, 2025. This is your complete, no-fluff guide — from retention rules to team rebuild plans, marquee players, and bold predictions that will shake the league.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians face tough choices. Will Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold onto their title-winning core? Can Gujarat Giants finally break the cycle of failure? We’ve got the data, stats, and insider insights you need. Bookmark this page now — we’ll update it live on November 5 with official retention lists.
1. WPL 2026 Mega Auction: Full Timeline & Key Dates
The BCCI has set a tight and intense schedule. Every date matters. Here’s everything you need to know.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Retention Submission Deadline | November 5, 2025 | Teams must submit final list of up to 5 retained players. No changes after. |
| Player Registration Deadline | November 18, 2025 | Last date for Indian and overseas players to register. |
| Final Auction List Release | November 20, 2025 | BCCI releases official player list with base prices and categories. |
| Mega Auction Dates | November 26–27, 2025 | Two-day live event in New Delhi. 100–120 players expected to be sold. |
| Venue | New Delhi | Likely at a luxury hotel. Live on Star Sports and JioCinema. |
Why November 5 is critical: Once the list is submitted, teams lose control of released players. Sources say Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are planning to retain only 3 players to unlock more RTM cards.
Sources: BCCI Official, ESPNcricinfo
2. WPL 2026 Retention Rules & RTM Cards: Full Explanation
For the first time, WPL follows the IPL mega auction model — but with a game-changing twist: RTM is here.
Maximum Retentions: Only 5 Players
| Category | Maximum Allowed |
|---|---|
| Capped Indian Players | 3 |
| Overseas Players | 2 |
| Uncapped Indian Players | 2 |
| Total | 5 |
Key Rule: If a team retains all 5 players, at least 1 must be an uncapped Indian player. This forces teams to invest in young domestic stars like Shreyanka Patil, Titas Sadhu, or Kashvee Gautam.
Retention Cost Slabs: Fixed Prices
No bargaining. The BCCI has fixed the cost for each retention. Retaining all 5 costs ₹9.25 crore.
| Retention Order | Cost (₹ Crore) | Example Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Retention | 3.50 | Harmanpreet Kaur / Smriti Mandhana |
| 2nd Retention | 2.50 | Nat Sciver-Brunt / Richa Ghosh |
| 3rd Retention | 1.75 | Ellyse Perry / Sophie Ecclestone |
| 4th Retention | 1.00 | Deepti Sharma / Amelia Kerr |
| 5th Retention (Uncapped) | 0.50 | Shreyanka Patil / Sayali Satghare |
| Total for 5 | ₹9.25 crore | Purse Left: ₹5.75 crore |
RTM Cards: The Ultimate Game-Changer
Right to Match (RTM) lets a team reclaim a released player by matching the highest bid. But there’s a catch — RTM depends on how many players you retain.
| Players Retained | RTM Cards Available |
|---|---|
| 5 | 0 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 1 | 4 |
| 0 | 5 |
Real Example: UP Warriorz release Alyssa Healy. Delhi Capitals bid ₹2.2 crore. UPW can use RTM to match the bid and get her back — even if they didn’t retain her initially.
“RTM is a rebuild cheat code. It gives underdogs a second chance.” — Former WPL head coach
3. WPL 2026 Auction Purse: ₹15 Crore Per Team
Every team starts with ₹15 crore. After retentions, the remaining purse is used to buy 13 to 18 players (squad size: 18).
| Retentions | Cost Deducted | Purse Left | Players to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | ₹9.25 cr | ₹5.75 cr | 13 |
| 4 | ₹7.75 cr | ₹7.25 cr | 14 |
| 3 | ₹6.75 cr | ₹8.25 cr | 15 |
| 0 | ₹0 | ₹15 cr | 18 |
Smart Strategy: Teams retaining 3 or fewer get more RTM cards + bigger purse = perfect for a full rebuild.
4. WPL 2026: Team-by-Team Retention Strategies & Predictions
Let’s go team by team. Based on 2023–2025 performance, player form, and insider reports.
Mumbai Indians: Defend the Dynasty
2023: Champions | 2024: Runners-up | 2025: Champions MI has won 2 out of 3 titles. They’ll protect their core.
| Player | Role | Cost | Why Retain? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Captain / Batter | ₹3.5 cr | Franchise face, 500+ runs |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt | All-rounder | ₹2.5 cr | 2025 MVP: 300+ runs + 15 wickets |
| Hayley Matthews | All-rounder | ₹1.75 cr | Powerplay destroyer + off-spin |
| Amelia Kerr | Leg-spin All-rounder | ₹1 cr | Economy under 6, clutch batter |
| Sayali Satghare | Uncapped Pacer | ₹0.5 cr | Emerging death bowler |
Purse Left: ₹5.75 cr RTM: 0 Strategy: Lock the core. Use auction for Indian pacers.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Title Holders
RCB won in 2024. Faded in 2025. But their stars are still world-class.
| Player | Role | Cost | Why Retain? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | Captain / Opener | ₹3.5 cr | Highest run-scorer, brand value |
| Richa Ghosh | WK-Batter | ₹2.5 cr | Finisher, future India star |
| Ellyse Perry | All-rounder | ₹1.75 cr | 2025: 400+ runs, avg 64.8 |
| Sophie Molineux | Spinner | ₹1 cr | BBL returnee, left-arm variety |
| Shreyanka Patil | Uncapped Spinner | ₹0.5 cr | 2024 Purple Cap winner |
Purse Left: ₹5.75 cr Poll: Should RCB release Ellyse Perry? Vote in the comments below!
Delhi Capitals: Always Close, Never Champions
Top 4 in all 3 seasons. Need that final push.
| Player | Role | Cost | Why Retain? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jess Jonassen | Spinner | ₹3.5 cr | Consistent wicket-taker |
| Shafali Verma | Opener | ₹2.5 cr | Explosive starts |
| Marizanne Kapp | All-rounder | ₹1.75 cr | Pace + middle-order stability |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | Middle-order | ₹1 cr | Anchor in chases |
RTM Target: Meg Lanning Purse Left: ₹7.25 cr Strategy: Use RTM to reclaim Lanning if released.
Gujarat Giants: Full Rebuild Mode
Wooden spoon in 2023 and 2025. Time to start fresh.
| Player | Role | Cost | Why Retain? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beth Mooney | WK-Opener | ₹3.5 cr | Only consistent batter |
| Ashleigh Gardner | All-rounder | ₹2.5 cr | Big hitter, off-spin |
| Tanuja Kanwar | Uncapped Spinner | ₹1.75 cr | Best economy in 2025 |
RTM: 2 Purse Left: ₹8.25 cr Strategy: Full reset. Target Smriti or Harmanpreet in auction.
UP Warriorz: Mid-Table Mystery
| Player | Role | Cost | Why Retain? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alyssa Healy | WK-Captain | ₹3.5 cr | Leadership + aggressive batting |
| Deepti Sharma | All-rounder | ₹2.5 cr | Spin + lower-order power |
| Sophie Ecclestone | Spinner | ₹1.75 cr | World’s No.1 T20 bowler |
| Anjali Sarvani | Pacer | ₹1 cr | Swing in powerplay |
RTM Target: Tahlia McGrath Purse Left: ₹7.25 cr
5. WPL 2026 Marquee Players: Who’s Up for Grabs?
Over 150 players expected in the pool. Here are the top 10 marquee names likely to spark bidding wars:
- Meg Lanning – WK/Batter – ₹3–4 cr (DC RTM favorite)
- Laura Wolvaardt – Opener – ₹2.5 cr
- Chamari Athapaththu – All-rounder – ₹2 cr
- Shabnim Ismail – Pacer – ₹2 cr
- Renuka Singh – Indian Pacer – ₹1.5 cr
- Tahlia McGrath – All-rounder – ₹2 cr
- Pooja Vastrakar – Pacer – ₹1.8 cr
- Radha Yadav – Spinner – ₹1.2 cr
- Harleen Deol – Batter – ₹1 cr
- Sneh Rana – Off-spinner – ₹1 cr
Uncapped Stars to Watch
- Kashvee Gautam (Pace all-rounder)
- Titas Sadhu (Swing bowler)
- Shreyanka Patil (If released)
- Vrinda Dhurve (Left-arm spin)
6. How WPL 2026 Mega Auction Reshapes Women’s Cricket
This isn’t just an auction. It’s a ₹75 crore revolution.
- Total salary pool: ₹75 crore across 5 teams
- Growth since 2023:300% increase in player earnings
- RTM = Parity: Underdogs like GG get a fighting chance
- Uncapped pipeline: 20+ new Indian faces expected
- Viewership target:500 million+ impressions
Just like IPL 2022 mega auction led to a 15% performance jump, WPL 2026 will see higher strike rates, closer games, and new rivalries.
7. WPL 2026 Mega Auction: FAQs
Q: When is the WPL 2026 mega auction? A: November 26–27, 2025 in New Delhi.
Q: How many players can a team retain? A: Maximum 5, with category limits.
Q: What is RTM in WPL? A: Right to Match — teams can match the highest bid to reclaim a released player.
Q: How much is the WPL 2026 auction purse? A: ₹15 crore per team.
Q: Can teams retain more than 2 overseas players? A: No. Maximum 2 overseas.
Q: What is the cost of retaining an uncapped player? A: ₹50 lakh (5th retention only).
Q: Will there be a live stream? A: Yes — Star Sports and JioCinema.
Q: Which team might use RTM the most? A: Gujarat Giants (likely 2–3 RTM cards).
Final Verdict: One Team Will Shock With 0 Retentions
WPL 2026 Mega Auction is more than just bids — it’s the making of legends, the breaking of dynasties, and the rise of new queens.
Will Mumbai Indians dominate again? Can Gujarat Giants finally phoenix from the ashes? Will someone pull a 0-retention masterstroke? Follow IPL Star for latest updates!
The answers begin on November 5.
FAQs: WPL 2026 Mega Auction Rules, Retentions & Strategies
1. When is the WPL 2026 Mega Auction Date? The WPL 2026 Mega Auction is scheduled for November 26-27, 2025, in New Delhi. This two-day event follows the retention deadline on November 5. Expect live coverage on Star Sports and JioCinema. For full timeline, check our auction schedule section.
2. How Many Players Can Teams Retain in WPL 2026? Teams can retain up to five players in WPL 2026 retention rules, including max three capped Indians, two overseas, and two uncapped Indians. If retaining five, one must be uncapped. Submit by November 5 to lock your core. WPL 2026 Mega Auction Dive into strategies here.
3. What is the WPL 2026 Auction Purse Amount? Each of the five franchises gets a ₹15 crore auction purse for WPL 2026. Retentions deduct fixed slabs (e.g., ₹9.25 crore for five players), leaving ₹5.75 crore for 13 buys. This levels the field for rebuilds. See purse breakdowns in our guide.
4. What Are WPL 2026 Retention Cost Slabs? WPL 2026 retention slabs are fixed: ₹3.5 crore (1st), ₹2.5 crore (2nd), ₹1.75 crore (3rd), ₹1 crore (4th), and ₹50 lakh (5th, uncapped). Total for five: ₹9.25 crore. Teams can pay more, but extras cut purse. Explore impacts on teams.
5. What is RTM in WPL 2026 Mega Auction? The WPL RTM card debuts in 2026, letting teams match the highest bid to reclaim ex-squad players. Retain five? Zero RTMs. Retain three? Two RTMs. It’s a rebuild game-changer for underdogs like Gujarat Giants. Learn RTM tactics here.
6. How Does RTM Availability Work in WPL 2026? WPL 2026 RTM cards tie to retentions: 5 retentions = 0 RTMs; 4 = 1; 3 = 2; 2 = 3; 1 = 4; 0 = 5. Use on 2025 squad players only. This boosts flexibility for mid-table teams like UP Warriorz. Full RTM table in our breakdown.
7. What Are Key WPL 2026 Auction Timeline Milestones? Key WPL 2026 auction dates: November 5 (retentions due), November 18 (registrations close), November 20 (player list out), November 26-27 (auction). New Delhi hosts the drama. Track all events in our timeline for no surprises.
8. Which Teams Might Use More RTM Cards in WPL 2026? Struggling sides like Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz may retain three for two RTMs, targeting stars like Beth Mooney via match. Champs Mumbai Indians? Likely zero RTMs with full five retentions. See team predictions section.
9. What Are Top Marquee Players for WPL 2026 Auction? Watch for WPL 2026 marquee players like Meg Lanning (₹3-4 crore, DC favorite), Ellyse Perry, and uncapped gems like Kashvee Gautam. Bidding wars expected for overseas all-rounders. Full list and prices here.
10. How Will WPL 2026 Mega Auction Impact the League? The WPL 2026 Mega Auction injects ₹75 crore total, promotes parity via RTMs, and boosts uncapped Indians. Expect 15% performance spikes like IPL 2022, with 500M+ views. Read league-wide analysis below.
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