WPL Mega Auction Set for Nov 27: Full Details

The countdown to the next chapter of the Women’s Premier League has officially begun! The BCCI has confirmed that the WPL Mega Auction for the 2026 season will take place on November 27 in New Delhi . This isn’t just any auction—it’s a mega event where the five franchises will rebuild their squads almost from scratch, setting the stage for an even more competitive and thrilling tournament.

With a combined purse of a whopping Rs 41.1 crore and 73 player slots to fill (including 23 for overseas stars), expect a flurry of high-stakes bidding wars for the world’s finest talent. The player pool reads like a who’s who of global women’s cricket, with Indian stalwart Deepti Sharma and South African superstar Laura Wolvaardt joined by returning legends Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning. This auction is poised to be a defining moment for the league’s growth.

Auction Basics: What You Need to Know
The Star-Studded Player Pool
Team Purses and Strategy
Key Domestic Contenders
Overseas Stars to Watch
What is a Mega Auction?
Conclusion: A New Era for WPL
Sources

Auction Basics: What You Need to Know

The WPL Mega Auction is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, 2025, in the national capital, New Delhi . This date gives franchises just over a week to finalize their retention and RTM (Right-to-Match) strategies before the main event.

A total of 73 slots are up for grabs across the five teams. This includes a maximum of 23 overseas player slots, ensuring a perfect blend of international firepower and domestic depth. The auction will be conducted with the same transparency and high production values as its predecessor, guaranteeing a thrilling spectacle for fans worldwide.

The Star-Studded Player Pool

The list of available players is incredibly deep. The BCCI has confirmed the participation of several global icons:

Deepti Sharma (India): The all-rounder was a pivotal part of the UP Warriorz setup. Her availability makes her the most sought-after domestic asset.
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): The current South African captain and a batting maestro, Wolvaardt is a proven match-winner in T20 leagues globally.
Alyssa Healy (Australia): The explosive wicketkeeper-batter is back in the pool after recovering from her long-term knee injury.
Meg Lanning (Australia): The legendary former Australian captain has also entered the fray, adding her immense tactical brain and batting prowess to the mix .

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The pool also includes other global stars like Ashleigh Gardner, Sophie Ecclestone, Amelia Kerr, and a host of top Indian talent like Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, and Pooja Vastrakar.

Team Purses and Strategy

Each franchise has been allocated a specific purse to build its squad. The team with the largest war chest is UP Warriorz, who have retained the fewest players from the previous season.

The total combined purse for all five teams stands at Rs 41.1 crore. The purse distribution is typically as follows (based on the previous season’s structure):

UP Warriorz: Rs 10.75 crore (highest)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Rs 8.25 crore
Mumbai Indians: Rs 8.25 crore
Delhi Capitals: Rs 7.25 crore
Gujarat Giants: Rs 6.60 crore

Teams will need to be highly strategic, balancing their spending between a core group of reliable players and a few marquee, high-priced stars. The team that builds the most balanced and cohesive unit will be the one to watch in 2026.

Key Domestic Contenders

Beyond Deepti Sharma, the Indian player pool is exceptionally strong. Franchises will be fighting for:

Shafali Verma: Her explosive power at the top of the order is unmatched.
Jemimah Rodrigues: A stylish batter known for her elegance and ability to anchor an innings.
Harmanpreet Kaur: The Indian captain brings leadership and big-match temperament.
Richa Ghosh: A young, dynamic wicketkeeper-batter with a massive strike rate.

These players form the backbone of any successful WPL team, and their retention or acquisition will be a top priority.

Overseas Stars to Watch

The international contingent is arguably even more exciting. Aside from Healy, Lanning, and Wolvaardt, keep an eye on:

Ashleigh Gardner (Australia): A destructive all-rounder who can win games single-handedly with bat and ball.
Sophie Ecclestone (England): The world’s No. 1 T20I bowler, a must-have for any franchise looking for control in the middle overs.
Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): A leg-spinning all-rounder of the highest quality.
Hayley Matthews (West Indies): A genuine match-winner with both bat and ball.

Squads that can successfully integrate two or three of these overseas giants with their Indian core will be in a formidable position.

What is a Mega Auction?

Unlike a mini-auction where teams make minor tweaks, a mega auction is a complete reset. Franchises can only retain a very limited number of players (usually 3-4) from their previous squads. All other players go back into the pool and are available for all teams to bid on .

This system ensures a high level of player mobility and gives every team a relatively even chance to build a champion squad from the ground up. It prevents any one team from becoming a dynasty and keeps the competition fresh and unpredictable—key ingredients for a league’s long-term health, as seen in the [INTERNAL_LINK:wpl-2025-season-review].

Conclusion: A New Era for WPL

The WPL Mega Auction on November 27 is more than just a team-building exercise; it’s a celebration of the global growth of women’s cricket. With a record purse, a glittering array of talent, and five ambitious franchises, the stage is set for a bidding war that will capture the imagination of fans across the world. This auction will not only determine the teams for WPL 2026 but will also signal the league’s maturity and its position as a premier destination for the best female cricketers on the planet.

Sources

Times of India: “WPL confirms mega auction date; Deepti, Wolvaardt, Healy, Lanning headline player pool” [[2], [5]]
BCCI official announcements regarding the WPL auction structure and schedule.
Player statistics and profiles from the ICC and ESPNcricinfo.
Analysis of previous WPL auction dynamics and team strategies from reputable cricket news outlets .

WPL Mega Auction Set for Nov 27: Full Details