WPL 2026 Auction: Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma & Wolvaardt Highlight Player List
WPL 2026 auction in New Delhi will see 277 players, including 194 Indian and 83 overseas cricketers, going under the hammer. Top marquee names such as Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, Laura Wolvaardt, Sophie Ecclestone, Alyssa Healy, and Amelia Kerr will kick off the auction, generating massive fan and franchise interest.
Player Breakdown and Key Marquee Names
Among the 194 Indian players, 52 are capped, while 66 of the 83 overseas players are internationally capped. The marquee lineup includes 2025 Women’s World Cup standout Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh, Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Meg Lanning (Australia), and Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa).
Youngest and Oldest Contenders
The auction features emerging talent like 16-year-olds Deeya Yadav and Bharati Singh, while former South African pacer Shabnim Ismail leads the experience category at 37. This blend of youth and experience is expected to create intense competition across franchises.
Franchise Squads and Strategy
Each franchise can assemble a squad of up to 18 players, with 73 total slots to fill, including 23 overseas spots.
UP Warriorz: Largest auction purse, four RTM options, major rebuilding expected, recently retained uncapped batter Shweta Sehrawat.
Mumbai Indians (MI): Defending champions, maximum five retained players, no RTM available, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur.
Delhi Capitals (DC): Three-time runners-up, five retained players, including Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues.
Gujarat Giants: Retained Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner, purse of Rs 9 crore, 16 slots to fill, four overseas slots.
Auction Trends and Historical Context
The WPL has seen record-breaking bids in previous seasons. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana became the most expensive player at Rs 3.4 crore during the inaugural season, leading RCB to the 2024 title. Other high-value retained players include Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, and Shreyanka Patil.
Retention and Budget Overview
Across all franchises, 17 players (seven overseas) were retained ahead of the auction, leaving a combined purse of Rs 41.1 crore to be spent. Teams will have to balance marquee players, emerging talent, and international stars to form competitive squads for the upcoming season.
What to Expect From the WPL 2026 Auction
The WPL 2026 auction promises fierce bidding battles, strategic use of RTM options, and a showcase of both seasoned stars and rising talent. With players like Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, and Laura Wolvaardt in the spotlight, franchises will look to assemble balanced squads capable of challenging for the title in the upcoming season.
What a lineup! The WPL 2026 auction looks stacked with world-class talent. Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, Wolvaardt, and Amelia Kerr; this is going to be a competitive and thrilling match. Can’t wait to see how each franchise builds its perfect squad.