New Delhi: The Women’s Premier League 2026 mega auction delivered a high-intensity bidding battle, reshaping squads across all five franchises and setting the stage for a competitive new season. The event featured major signings, headline-grabbing price tags, and strategic squad rebuilding, especially from teams looking to bolster both Indian and overseas depth.
Deepti Sharma emerged as one of the biggest stories of the day. Fresh off her standout World Cup performance, she was reclaimed by UP Warriorz for 3.2 crore through the Right to Match option, making her the joint second-costliest player in league history. New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr became the most expensive overseas pick of the auction after Mumbai Indians secured her for 3 crore. Shikha Pandey also surprised many when UP Warriorz bought her for 2.4 crore.
Mumbai Indians strengthened their already formidable core by adding Kerr along with Shabnim Ismail and Nicola Carey, complementing retained stars like Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur. Delhi Capitals maintained consistency in their lineup with key retentions and the addition of Laura Wolvaardt and Chinelle Henry to reinforce their batting and all-round options.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru focused on depth with a blend of experience and young talent. Their roster now includes Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Lauren Bell and multiple all-round additions that support stalwarts Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh and Ellyse Perry.
Gujarat Giants opted for a combination of strong overseas names and tactical RTM moves, bringing back Bharti Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam. Their lineup features Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine and several impactful Indian players.
UP Warriorz were the most aggressive buyers, using multiple RTMs while adding Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Asha Sobhana and Chloe Tryon alongside their top-priced acquisitions.
With marquee retentions, high-value signings and balanced squad building, the WPL 2026 season promises a strongly contested tournament as teams gear up with renewed depth and ambition.
