WPL 2026 Auction: Top Players Set to Earn Big and Why
The WPL 2026 auction is going to be an event with huge bid wars, unexpected twists, and shifting. The upcoming season for WPL is shaping up to be the landmark chapter in women’s cricket history.
Now the rentions have been completed, the mega auction is looming, shifting fans and pundits alike in a wondering state of question that who is likely to earn the biggest paychecks this time around?
While the final answer will emerge when the hammer falls, you don’t need to worry; our platform, Starexchange, will sketch out your desired answer according to the retention choices and team strategies.
The Retention Landscape: Setting the Benchmark
Franchises have already used their retention slots to lock in their cores, and these decisions carry enormous signals. Each WPL team had a purse of ₹15 crore to build their squad. The retention rules say that five players are the maximum limit that a team can retain: up to three capped Indian players, two overseas players, and up to two uncapped Indians. If any franchise decides to retain five players, at least one must be an uncapped Indian, and teams using all five slots forfeit their Right-to-Match (RTM) cards.
That top retention figure of ₹3.5 crore effectively sets the upper benchmark for the auction. It signals what a “premium” player, whether domestic or overseas, could realistically fetch under competitive bidding.
What the Retentions Reveal About Strategy
Retention patterns across teams suggest how aggressive or conservative franchises plan to be in the auction. For example:
- A few teams, such as the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC), exhausted all five retention slots, which leaves them with less purse left in hand, leading to no RTM card left.
- In stark contrast, UP Warriorz had just as many uncapped Indians in their line-up saved (1), but the largest purse remaining and no less than four RTM cards. That’s an indication of a big rebuild plan, and it signals Hunter will be aggressive in the auction.”
- Gujarat Giants, which has just two overseas retentions and a healthy balance remaining in the purse as well, is another team that should be expected to make some heavy moves at the auctions.
Who’s Poised to Earn Big in the Auction
Several types of players emerge as prime candidates to demand big money at the WPL 2026 auction based on retention trends, past performance and team requirements.
Established Indian Top-Order Batters
Power hitters who have a proven track record and are reliable batters in their domestic leagues will likely receive aggressive bids, particularly at sides without settled top orders. Price: ₹3.5 crore (This is the benchmark.) Any such batter coming up in the order with the ability to churn out consistent runs, experience at the international level and excellent finishing skills should easily see a bidding war of similar proportions.
And it’s not just a matter of numbers in the raw. Franchises also fancy openers that can anchor the innings, face pressure and provide leadership skills – important points around which to construct a solid core for years.
Versatile Overseas All-Rounders
The fact that they held on to Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ashleigh Gardner at the top retention slot highlights the premium franchise’s place on pace-bowling all-rounders.
So that being the case, others abroad will also be likely to attract plenty of interest, particularly ones with a glowing T20 reputation. All-rounders provide balance to the team, independence in adjustments of the eleven & and can deal with pressure during a crunch game. Such features typically ignite bidding wars.
Impact Players from Released Pool
The point is, some big players, world-class in some cases, have been released and so will likely end up being available at the auction. That leaves a window for teams to aggressively pursue marquee talent. India all-rounder Deepti Sharma was, for instance, released, and the 23-year-old is understood to be wanted by various sides.
The combination of released veterans and uncapped talent with high ceilings means that the auction pool will be significantly larger and very competitive.
Conclusion
The WPL 2026 auction is looking like it’s going to be a historic event. With only a few stars being retained at the highest prices, and many big names and rising talents, the stage is set for eye-popping bidding, some brinkmanship, and potentially record-setting deals.
As a fan, an observer and a content creator, not to mention for brands like Starexch looking to capitalise on the unstoppable tidal wave of energy coming from this auction, that makes it both an opportunity and excitement. The auction will define not only which teams have the best rosters, but could shape the way the entire league operates for years to come, as long as franchises remain brave and competitive.
FAQ
1. When is the WPL 2026 auction?
The auction will be on Nov. 27, 2025, when franchises can bid for players for the 2026 season.
2. How many players could each team retain before the auction, and what are the rules?
If it chooses, each team may keep as many as five players. A retention composition could be around a maximum of three capped Indian players, up to two overseas players and at most 2 uncapped Indian players. If you retain five players, one of the uncapped Indians will have to be included.
3. Who all created the ‘price ceiling’ before the auction?
Smriti Mandhana, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ashleigh Gardner were the ones retained at the highest retention price of ₹3.5 crore, effectively setting that as the ceiling for elite players when they go under the hammer.
4. What will be some of the most sought-after players in the WPL 2026 Auction?
You will find top-rung Indian batsmen, established overseas all-rounders, released international stars across the board, like all-rounders or batters, and players with a combination of two skills (batting-bowling-fielding).
Teams that have lots of money to spend and clear strategic needs, particularly rebuilding teams in the vicinity of contending in a few years from now, could get into bidding wars for such players.
