The Mumbai Indians have masterfully navigated the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction, culminating in the high-profile return of fan-favorite all-rounder Amelia Kerr. The franchise successfully rebuilt its squad with a strategic focus, ensuring a powerful core was retained while aggressively bidding to fill crucial gaps.
Core Retention and Auction Strategy
Ahead of the high-stakes auction, the Mumbai Indians made the critical decision to retain its main core of players. This group included skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, the dynamic Nat Sciver Brunt, all-rounder Hayley Matthews, and Indian talents Amanjot Kaur and G Kamalini. This retention strategy, however, consumed a significant portion of their budget.
Entering the auction with a purse of ₹5.75 crore and 13 slots to fill, the team's management had clear objectives: to rebuild their bowling options and add much-needed finishing power to the batting lineup.
The Fierce Battle for Amelia Kerr
The most dramatic moment of the auction for the MI camp was the bidding war for New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr. In a strategic pre-auuction move, MI had released Kerr, a decision that set the stage for an intense showdown.
Once Kerr entered the open bidding, her price escalated rapidly. Demonstrating their determination, the Mumbai Indians pushed their bid to a whopping ₹3 crore to finally secure her signature. This price was three times the ₹1 crore they had initially paid for her in the inaugural WPL season. The team owners, Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani, were visibly thrilled with the outcome. Nita Ambani was seen clapping joyfully and congratulating captain Harmanpreet Kaur, while mentor Jhulan Goswami and Head Coach Lisa Keightley looked equally relieved.
Why Kerr's Return is a Masterstroke
Amelia Kerr's return is a significant boost for the Mumbai Indians' balance and long-term planning. At just 23, she remains the youngest woman ever to score a double century in ODIs, highlighting her immense potential.
Her WPL record speaks for itself. In 29 matches, Kerr has scored 437 runs at a strike rate of 119.40. Her best season with the bat was in 2024, where she amassed 215 runs at an average of 35.83. With the ball, she has been even more formidable, taking 40 wickets overall at an excellent average of 17.90 and an economy rate of 7.64. Her standout bowling performance is a stunning 5/38 against UP Warriorz.
This strategic release and subsequent re-acquisition is a common tactic in mega auctions, allowing teams to reset contracts and re-sign key players only if the final price aligns with their remaining budget. For the Mumbai Indians, bringing 'their girl' back at ₹3 crore was a price worth paying for a player of Kerr's calibre and dependability.
