The (Women’s Premier League) WPL Auction 2026 
has rapidly evolved from a groundbreaking experiment into a global powerhouse of women’s cricket,
blending high-octane T20 action with record-breaking viewership and player empowerment.
As the league gears up for its fourth season in early 2026, the spotlight has turned to the upcoming mega auction
—a high-stakes spectacle set to reshape squads and ignite fresh rivalries.
Scheduled for late November 2025, this auction promises to be the most transformative yet,
with expanded retention rules, a boosted purse, and a deeper pool of international talent.
In this article, we dive into the mechanics, the buzz, and what it means for the future of the WPL.
A Mega Auction with Mega Changes
Unlike the mini-auctions of previous years, the 2025 event marks the first full mega auction since the league’s inception in 2023.
This reset button allows teams to overhaul their rosters entirely, fostering competition and injecting unpredictability.
The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) announced key updates in October, including a retention deadline of November 5 and the auction itself slotted between November 25 and 29.
The venue remains under wraps but expects to be in India, possibly Mumbai or another major hub,
continuing the league’s tradition of star-studded, high-energy events.
The purse has seen a healthy hike to ₹15 crore per team—up from ₹13.5 crore last season
—giving franchises more firepower to chase dream lineups.
Squad sizes stay capped at 18 players, with a maximum of six overseas recruits,
but teams can now retain up to five players (three Indian + two overseas, or variations like 4+1 or 3+2),
provided one is uncapped if going for the full five.
Retention slabs are structured progressively: ₹3.5 crore, ₹2.5 crore, ₹1.75 crore, ₹1 crore, and ₹0.5 crore,
leaving teams with between ₹8.75 crore and ₹9.25 crore for auction buys depending on how many they lock in early.
A game-changer is the introduction of Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, allowing teams to reclaim released players by matching the highest bid—up to two per franchise.
This mechanic, borrowed from the IPL, could spark dramatic bidding wars and help preserve franchise cores while rewarding breakout performers from prior seasons.
WPL Auction 2025 & Retention Strategies: Loyalty or Reinvention ?
With the retention window closing soon, teams are in a delicate balancing act.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), fresh off their 2024 triumph,
are tipped to anchor around captain Smriti Mandhana (retained at a league-record ₹3.4 crore in 2023) and all-rounder Ellyse Perry,
but whispers suggest they might release underperformers to chase global firepower.
Mumbai Indians (MI), who dominated headlines in 2025 with a trophy haul and multiple individual awards,
may prioritize their explosive batting core including Harmanpreet Kaur and young sensation G Kamalini (snapped for ₹1.6 crore in the 2024 mini-auction).
Gujarat Giants, perennial underdogs, could use their flexibility to rebuild aggressively, while Delhi Capitals—runners-up for two straight years—might RTM key bowlers like Jess Gardner.
UP Warriorz, known for bold picks, are eyeing uncapped gems to bolster their spin attack.
Social media is abuzz with fan debates: Will RCB finally end their silverware drought at home, or will MI extend their dynasty ?
The Player Pool: Talent Overflow and Global Flavor
Expect a bumper pool of over 500 registered players, blending established stars, rising Indians, and international heavyweights.
From the 2025 season’s breakout acts—like Andhra Pradesh spinner N Shree Charani, who fetched ₹55 lakh for Delhi after a domestic tear-up —to overlooked veterans seeking redemption, the list is stacked.
Uncapped Indians, who stole the show in 2024 with bids like Simran Shaikh’s ₹1.9 crore record for Gujarat, will again drive frenzy.
Overseas slots will heat up with names like Australia’s Alyssa Healy, England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt circling.
Associate nation talents, such as UAE’s Theertha Satish, add diversity—teams can exceed the six-overseas limit if picking from these pools.
Base prices range from ₹10 lakh for uncappeds to ₹50 lakh for capped elites like Heather Knight, setting the stage for multimillion-rupee duels.
Young prodigies are the wildcard: 2024’s 13-year-old Anshu Nagar went unsold, but talents like 14-year-old Ira Jadhav could spark a youth revolution this time.
Injuries from the 2025 season—plaguing teams like RCB with Sophie Molineux’s knee issue and Sophie Devine’s mental health break—have opened doors for fresh faces.
Why WPL Auction 2025 Matters: Elevating the Game
The WPL auction isn’t just about bids; it’s a barometer for women’s cricket’s ascent. Season 3 in 2025 shattered records:
MI’s trophy lift, their sweep of awards (MVP, Orange Cap, Purple Cap), and viewership spikes proved the league’s pull.
With the FTP now carving a dedicated window—shifting the 2026 opener to January—the WPL is aligning globally, attracting top talent without clashing internationals.
Financially, it’s transformative: Uncapped buys like Kranti Goud (₹10 lakh to UP Warriorz) turned into match-winners,
inspiring grassroots investment. Critics note biases toward familiar names from England and Australia,
but the 2025 auction’s surprises—like Deandra Dottin’s ₹1.7 crore redemption arc—show evolution.
As franchises eye sustainability, expect bolder risks on South Asian and African prospects.
Looking Ahead: A Season of Surprises ?
The November auction will crown new heroes and fuel narratives for a January 2026 kickoff, potentially with home-and-away formats and new venues.
Will Gujarat Giants finally gel into contenders ?
Can Delhi break their final curse ? Or will a wildcard team like UP Warriorz stun ?
One thing’s certain: In the WPL, the hammer falls, but the real winners are the sport and its stars.
Tune in via Star Sports for live coverage—because in women’s cricket, the bids are just the beginning.
What’s your dream pick ? The auction floor awaits.
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