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The WPL 2026 auction in Delhi features 277 players, with Smriti Mandhana, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Ashleigh Gardner retained for ₹3.5 crore.
The WPL 2026 auction will take place on November 27 in New Delhi
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is around the corner, and the biggest question on everyone’s mind is: who will fetch the highest bid on Thursday? The mega auction in Delhi will see 277 players go under the hammer, including 194 Indians — 52 capped and 142 uncapped — along with 83 overseas players, of which 66 are capped internationals.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already set the benchmark by retaining Smriti Mandhana for ₹3.5 crore. Her value as a proven run-getter, title winner, and long-term leader makes her one of the league’s most important assets. The retention list also underlines the worth of overseas stars, with Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians) and Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants) also kept for ₹3.5 crore each.
Other major Indian retentions include Richa Ghosh (RCB, ₹2.75 crore), Shafali Verma (DC, ₹2.2 crore), Jemimah Rodrigues (DC, ₹2.2 crore) and Harmanpreet Kaur (MI, ₹2.5 crore).
Based on the retention pattern, here are the categories expected to trigger intense bidding:
Established India Top-Order Batters
Proven Indian top-order batters will be in high demand. Any consistent domestic opener or No. 3 entering the pool is likely to attract aggressive bidding, especially from teams lacking stability at the top. The premium on reliable Indian batters has never been higher.
Preferred Options:
- Pratika Rawal (₹50 lakh)
- Yastika Bhatia (₹30 lakh)
- Vrinda Dinesh (₹10 lakh)
Overseas All-rounders
Teams always look for players who can contribute with both bat and ball. All-rounders bring balance, depth, and flexibility — crucial in a short tournament. Expect heavy bidding for overseas players with strong international records.
Preferred Options:
- Amelia Kerr (₹50 lakh)
- Nadine de Klerk (₹30 lakh)
- Kate Cross (₹30 lakh)
Overseas Top-Order Batters
Overseas top-order batters will also draw strong interest. Any reliable international opener or No. 3 is likely to spark a bidding war. Proven run-makers always come at a premium.
Preferred Options:
- Laura Wolvaardt (₹30 lakh)
- Chamari Athapaththu (₹40 lakh)
- Phoebe Litchfield (₹50 lakh)
Captaincy Material
Franchises are thinking long-term and looking for players who can lead, mentor, and shape team culture. Those with proven captaincy experience or leadership qualities could see their prices rise well above expectations.
Preferred Options:
- Deepti Sharma (₹50 lakh)
- Laura Wolvaardt (₹30 lakh)
- Alyssa Healy (₹50 lakh)
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
November 26, 2025, 20:31 IST
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