The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction held on November 27, 2025 in New Delhi turned into a thrilling spectacle as all five franchises – UP Warriorz, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Giants – battled to form their dream squads. A huge field of 277 players, including 194 Indians and 83 overseas stars, vied for 73 coveted slots and set the stage for thrilling bidding wars.
The spotlight shone brightly on Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharmawho became the most expensive buy of the tournament at Rs3.2crore and joined the UP Warriorz. In contrast, Australian superstar Alyssa Healy went unsold in a shock twist that left fans and pundits talking.
WPL 2026: Full Team List
WPL 2026 promises electrifying cricket action with a mix of emerging talent and international brands. The season begins on January 9, with Mumbai and Vadodara hosting the opening matches, promising packed stands and high-voltage drama from the first ball.
This is how the 5 teams in the auction turned out:
Bombay Indians
Mumbai Indians entered the auction with the lowest purse – tied with the Delhi Capitals – yet left looking far more balanced and complete than several better-funded rivals. Their decision to offload Amelia Kerr sparked a lot of talk, but MI made their intentions clear the moment the bidding began. They went all-in, wrestled around the contest and brought her back for Rs 3 crore, reaffirming how central she is to their plan.
The topic of the meeting did not end there. Sajeevan Sajana, Shabnim Ismail and Saika Ishaque – pillars of their winning runs in 2023 and 2025 – were all welcomed back into the fold. Continuity has always been one of MI’s greatest strengths, and this auction only reinforced that story.
True to their philosophy MI have again doubled the number of experienced cricketers. The arrival of Nicola Carey is a classic MI move – a seasoned all-rounder with 143 WBBL matches, 145 wickets and 1827 runs, including six fifties. With it, MI strengthened both stability and impact.
Depth has been MI’s calling card across the seasons and 2026 looks no different. In batting, bowling and the glue that binds the two departments together – the all-rounders – they have ensured there are no soft spots. Tight wallet or not, Mumbai Indians have put together a unit that looks poised, battle-ready and unmistakably MI.
Best Playing XI
Hayley Matthews, G Kamalini (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amelia Kerr, Sajeevan Sajana, Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Sanskriti Gupta, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail
Capital Delhi
Delhi Capitals enter the new WPL season with one major question: who will replace Meg Lanning as captain? They have two strong rivals. Laura Wolvaardt, one of the sharpest cricket heads in the women’s game, comes in after an impressive lead in the Women’s World Cup. Jemimah Rodrigues, an increasingly clever out-of-the-box thinker and key DC figure, is another leading possibility.
In the auction, DC were bold and clear in their strategy. They splashed the cash on Wolvaardt, Shree Charani and Chinelle Henry – three players who bring both quality and character. Charani, the World Cup breakout star and player of the series for England, forms a potent mix with Sneh Rana and Minnu Mani, giving DC a strong middle-order punch. Henry also adds firepower and jointly holds the record for the fastest WPL fifty in just 18 balls.
DC also re-signed Taniya Bhatia, still one of India’s safest wickets, although Mamata Madiwal’s excellent batting might see her into the XI. The addition of Lizelle Lee, a fresh WBBL hundred, only strengthens their batting.
Their pace attack gets a youthful spark thanks to Lucy Hamilton, the youngest player to win a WBBL five, while 16-year-old Deeya Yadav – inspired by Shafali Verma – offers exciting long-term promise.
Despite a limited budget, DC has assembled a sharp, balanced and promising team. Smart, focused and ready for the future – they won a lot right at the auction.
Best Playing XI
Laura Wolvaardt, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Niki Prasad, Annabel Sutherland, Mamatha Madiwala (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Chenille Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru didn’t make any headlines at the auction but walked away with exactly what they needed – proven international performers with strong WPL pedigrees. Their batting received a decisive boost with the arrivals of Grace Harris, Georgia Voll and Nadine de Klerk. Voll, who broke the WPL joint-high 99 last season, adds stability and power in equal measure.
Fresh from a World Cup championship campaign and familiar with RCB from her previous stint, De Klerk brings versatility with both bat and ball. And there is no doubt about Grace Harris – her strike rate of 155.52 in T20Is and 140.33 in WPL speaks volumes for her destructive potential.
In the pace department, RCB look good with Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar and Lauren Bell forming a reliable trio. Their rotating unit is equally impressive. Linsey Smith and Radha Yadav offer control and wickets, while Shreyanka Patil continues to be one of the tournament’s brightest rising stars.
After the release of Asha Sobhan, RCB smartly used the RTM card to bring back Prema Rawat and ensure they don’t lose valuable depth. The team seems balanced, seasoned and energetic. Now it’s all about turning that confidence into consistent results on the field.
Best Playing XI
Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Voll/Grace Harris, Ellyse Perry, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Lauren Bell/Linsey Smith
UP Warriorz
The UP Warriorz were among the most active teams in the auction, determined to build a team that combines experience, firepower and depth. The captaincy question loomed large after the release of Alyssa Healy, but the acquisitions of Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma seem to have solved it. Lanning, who will retire from international cricket in 2023, recently showed she has plenty left in the tank with a WBBL century for the Melbourne Stars.
Deepti Sharma came at a price – Rs 3.20 crore, making her the joint-most expensive player in WPL history alongside Smriti Mandhan – but the Warriors would be happy to pay, given her impressive form as player of the tournament in India’s World Cup-winning campaign. Phoebe Litchfield and Deandra Dottin add top-notch hitting power, making the Warriorz one of the most intimidating batting lineups.
They cleverly used their RTM to bring back Kiran Navgire, whose 30-ball century remains the fastest in women’s T20s. Shikha Pandey brings invaluable experience from global T20 leagues while Kranti Goud strengthens the bowling unit.
The real coup was Sophie Ecclestone, secured for 85 crore rupees and adding top-class spin to their attack. Alongside Chloe Tryon, Pratika Rawal and rising star Gongadi Trisha, the Warriorz now boast a squad brimming with talent, versatility and serious match-winning potential.
Best Playing XI
Kiran Navgire, Meg Lanning, Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Phoebe Litchfield, Shipra Giri (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, Tara Norris, Kranti Goud
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants have struggled to find consistency in the WPL and turning their fortunes around in the coming season will not be an easy task, especially given that they have not been able to make full use of their auction purse. They started off on a solid note by retaining Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner, but the auction may have left them feeling they could strengthen further.
Sophie Devine remains a dangerous batsman but inconsistency and her exit from T20Is last year raises questions about her reliability. Yastika Bhatia is an injury concern so her form is uncertain. Much will depend on Ash Gardner, whose performance in the middle order could determine how deep the Giants go in the tournament.
Experience in the middle order is limited, though Bharati Fulmali and Kanika Ahuja bring the ability to clear the ropes. In the pace department, Renuka Singh and Kashvee Gautam are expected to lead the way, supported by Titas Sadhu and Kim Garth, both capable of making important breakthroughs.
The spin department will depend on Tanuja Kanwer, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Gardner herself to anchor the innings and dominate the middle overs. Danny Wyatt-Hodge provides flexibility as a potential opener alongside Mooney if Devine is unavailable.
With a combination of firepower and some vulnerabilities, the Giants will need key players clicking at the same time this season to challenge the top sides.
Best Playing XI
Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Ashleigh Gardner (C), Bharati Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Georgia Wareham, Renuka Singh, Tanuja Kanwar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
– The end
Published on:
November 28, 2025
