WPL 2026 Mega Auction: A Landmark Event for Women's Cricket
The cricketing world turns its eyes to New Delhi as the first-ever Women's Premier League (WPL) Mega Auction unfolds on Thursday, November 27, 2025. This is a historic moment, marking the first major squad overhaul since the league's inception in 2023. The auction promises a dramatic reshuffling of talent, forcing all five franchises to strategically rebuild their cores from the ground up.
Auction Dynamics and Player Pool
A total of 277 players have thrown their hats in the ring, creating a vibrant and competitive marketplace. The breakdown includes a strong contingent of 194 Indian players and 83 overseas stars. However, with only 73 slots available across all teams, the competition for signatures will be fierce. The core rule driving this auction is the limit of five player retentions per team. This regulation ensures that established teams like Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) must reluctantly dismantle their successful units, while teams like UP Warriorz (UPW) and Gujarat Giants (GG) see this as a golden opportunity for a complete reset.
Marquee Names and Strategic Tools
The auction pool is glittering with world-class talent. All-rounder Deepti Sharma is one of the most sought-after Indian stars, alongside other key players from India's World Cup-winning squad. The international roster is equally impressive, featuring names like Meg Lanning, Sophie Ecclestone, Alyssa Healy, Laura Wolvaardt, Sophie Devine, and Amelia Kerr. To navigate this complex process, teams have a crucial strategic tool at their disposal: the Right To Match (RTM) card. The number of RTM cards a franchise can use is inversely related to their number of retentions, giving teams with fewer retained players more power to reclaim their former stars during the bidding. Each final squad must have a minimum of 15 players and can have a maximum of 18.
Implications for the WPL Landscape
This mega auction is more than just a player acquisition event; it is a league-defining moment. It effectively levels the playing field, preventing any single franchise from maintaining long-term dominance through a settled core. The intense bidding wars expected for proven match-winners and promising domestic talent will set the tone for the next cycle of the WPL. The decisions made in the auction room will shape team identities and championship aspirations for seasons to come, making this a pivotal day for the future of women's franchise cricket in India.
