WPL 2026 auction: Deepti, Ecclestone, Healy among marquee players
What's the story
The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction is set to take place on November 27 in Delhi. A total of 277 players have registered for the event, including eight marquee players who will kick off the bidding process. The marquee set features Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma and fast bowler Renuka Singh. They will be joined by international stars Sophie Devine, Sophie Ecclestone, Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Amelia Kerr, and Laura Wolvaardt.
Auction details
Players' base prices and auction slots
Among the marquee players, only Renuka (₹40 lakh) and Wolvaardt (₹30 lakh) have set their base price lower than the maximum of ₹50 lakh. As mentioned, a total of 277 players will compete for a maximum of 73 available slots in the WPL 2026 auction. Out of these, 83 overseas players will fight for 23 slots reserved for them, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Team strategies
Teams and players with highest base prices
Notably, three players from the marquee sets - Deepti, Ecclestone, and Healy - have previously played for UP Warriorz (UPW). The team has four right-to-match (RTM) options available. India batter Harleen Deol has set her base price at the maximum bracket of ₹50 lakh in the capped all-rounders' list. However, since Gujarat Giants (GG) retained two overseas players Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner, they can't use their RTM for Litchfield.
Spinner highlights
Notable players in the 1st set of spinners
The first set of spinners, which is the sixth set, includes Australia's Alana King (₹40 lakh), India's Asha Sobhana and Priya Mishra (both ₹30 lakh), as well as Saika Ishaque (₹30 lakh). The latter was part of Mumbai Indians (MI) for the first three seasons. Notably, Tahlia McGrath and Sophie Molineux are not part of the 23 players from Australia.
Global players
International representation in the auction pool
The auction pool also includes 22 players from England, 13 from New Zealand, and 11 from South Africa. From Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu, batter Harshitha Samarawickrama, and left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera are the three representatives. Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong is the only player listed from her country while USA's Tara Norris (who played for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2023) is also included.
Financial overview
Teams' financial standings ahead of the auction
UPW and GG will enter the WPL 2026 auction with the highest purse - ₹14.50 crore and ₹9 crore respectively. They are followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) with ₹6.15 crore, Mumbai Indians (MI) with ₹5.75 crore, and Delhi Capitals (DC) with ₹5.70 crore. MI and DC, who have retained five players each, won't have any RTM option available during this mega auction event.