The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction is set to be a thrilling affair in Delhi, with 277 players competing for just 73 coveted spots. Among the hopefuls are 83 international talents, 155 uncapped Indian players, and four from Associate nations. A significant 23 of the available slots are reserved for overseas players, promising a global showcase of cricketing prowess. Following player retentions, the combined salary cap available to the five franchises stands at INR 41.1 crore, fueling expectations of intense bidding wars.
The auction will commence with a high-profile marquee set featuring eight standout players. India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma and pace bowler Renuka Singh Thakur are among the Indian representatives. The international marquee list is equally impressive, boasting Sophie Devine, Sophie Ecclestone, Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Amelia Kerr, and Laura Wolvaardt. Renuka Singh has set her base price at INR 40 lakh, while Wolvaardt starts at INR 30 lakh. The remaining six marquee players have opted for the highest reserve price of INR 50 lakh, signalling their high value.
The dynamics surrounding the marquee set are particularly noteworthy. Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, and Alyssa Healy previously played for UP Warriorz. This franchise enters the auction with the most Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, holding four, which could significantly influence their strategy. UP Warriorz have only retained uncapped player Shweta Sehrawat, granting them the largest purse in the auction at INR 14.50 crore.
Several prominent Australian players, including Tahlia McGrath and Sophie Molineux, are notable absentees from the marquee list, despite Australia contributing 23 players overall. England is well-represented with 22 players, New Zealand with 13, and South Africa with 11. Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Inoka Ranaweera are in the pool, with Athapaththu having a previous WPL stint. Bangladesh has three players: Marufa Akter, Shorna Akter, and Rabeya Khan, all with a base price of INR 30 lakh.
Beyond the marquee group, 19 players have registered at the top reserve price of INR 50 lakh. This group includes exciting talents like Phoebe Litchfield and Harleen Deol, as well as Pooja Vastrakar and Georgia Wareham. Phoebe Litchfield’s RTM eligibility is constrained by Gujarat Giants’ prior retention of two overseas players, Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner. Other capped all-rounders like Radha Yadav and Sneh Rana have a base price of INR 30 lakh.
Spinners also feature prominently, with Australia’s Alana King at INR 40 lakh and Indian talents Asha Sobhana, Priya Mishra, and Saika Ishaque at INR 30 lakh. Associate nations add further diversity with Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong, USA’s Tara Norris, and UAE’s Esha Oza. India leads the player pool with a commanding 194 participants, followed by Australia and England. The WPL 2026 auction is poised to redefine team dynamics with its blend of established stars and emerging talent.