WPL 2026 Mega Auction: Full Player Signings, Top Bids and Team Breakdowns Revealed
WPL 2026 mega auction sets tone with big bids and marquee signings.
Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 held its much-anticipated mega auction on Thursday, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive season. The auction opened with a dramatic move as UP Warriorz used their Right To Match (RTM) card to secure India all-rounder Deepti Sharma for a staggering Rs 3.2 crore. This move matched a strong bid from Delhi Capitals and instantly underscored the high stakes for teams aiming to build championship-winning squads.
Veteran New Zealand player Sophie Devine was the first big name sold in the auction, going to Gujarat Giants for Rs 2 crore. Her signing demonstrated teams’ readiness to invest heavily in experienced international talent. Other notable acquisitions included Mumbai Indians securing Amelia Kerr for Rs 3 crore and UP Warriorz picking up Meg Lanning at Rs 1.9 crore, highlighting the premium placed on players with proven track records.
The upcoming fourth edition of the WPL is scheduled to begin on January 9, 2026, with matches hosted at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the final slated for Vadodara on February 5. This schedule has been advanced from its usual February-March window to accommodate the men’s T20 World Cup starting in early February. WPL Chairperson Jayesh George confirmed the venues and format during the auction proceedings, emphasizing the league’s growing stature and significance in women’s cricket.
Bidding throughout the auction reflected the strategic approach of franchises balancing star power with emerging talent. Besides Deepti Sharma and Sophie Devine, key players like Laura Wolvaardt (Delhi Capitals, Rs 1.1 crore), Chinelle Henry (Delhi Capitals, Rs 1.3 crore), and Phoebe Litchfield (UP Warriorz, Rs 1.2 crore) secured lucrative bids, marking them as potential game-changers for their teams in the upcoming season.
As defending champions Mumbai Indians look to retain their title and other teams strengthen their squads with marquee signings, the WPL 2026 auction promises an exciting and competitive season ahead, further cementing the league’s role in elevating women’s cricket on both national and international stages.
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