Anticipation for the Women’s Premier League 2026 mega auction is increasing, and the BCCI has publicized the names of eight marquee players who will start the auction on November 27 in Delhi. This auction is going to be among the most fierce and prominent in WPL history as there will be 277 players competing for merely 73 available slots.
The marquee list consists of two top performers from India plus six international superstars, thus, the first round of bidding becomes the most captivating event of the day.
The 8 Marquee Players for WPL 2026
Indian Players
- Deepti Sharma – India’s premier all-rounder
- Renuka Singh Thakur – India’s frontline fast bowler
Overseas Players
- Sophie Devine (New Zealand)
- Sophie Ecclestone (England)
- Alyssa Healy (Australia)
- Meg Lanning (Australia)
- Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
These eight players will be the first names to go under the hammer, and all teams are expected to show strong interest.
Base Price Breakdown
- ₹50 lakh (Maximum Base Price): Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr
- ₹40 lakh: Renuka Singh
- ₹30 lakh: Laura Wolvaardt
Despite her world-class form, Wolvaardt has kept her price lower than most, which could lead to heavy bidding.
Auction Pool: Full Overview
- Total Players Registered: 277
- Overseas Players: 83
- Slots Available: 73
- Overseas Slots: 23
Teams will have to make smart moves as the number of quality players is far greater than the number of places available.
UP Warriorz Hold Major Advantage
Three marquee players Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone and Alyssa Healy have previously played for UP Warriorz (UPW).
UPW enter the auction with four Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, giving them more control if they want to bring back their former stars.
They also have the biggest purse among all teams.
Country-Wise Participation in WPL 2026 Auction
- Australia – 23 players
- England – 22 players
- New Zealand – 13 players
- South Africa – 11 players
- Sri Lanka – 3
- Bangladesh – 3
- Thailand – 1 (Thipatcha Putthawong)
- USA – 1 (Tara Norris, the first-ever WPL five-wicket taker)
- UAE – 2
No players from Ireland or Scotland are part of this year’s auction list.
Other Notable Highlights
- Harleen Deol has listed her base price at ₹50 lakh in the capped all-rounders category.
- Kranti Gaud and Uma Chetry surprised many by placing themselves in the ₹50-lakh bracket.
- Stars like Tahlia McGrath and Sophie Molineux are missing from the auction pool.
Team Purse Remaining Before the Auction
| Team | Purse Left |
| UP Warriorz | ₹14.50 crore |
| Gujarat Giants | ₹9 crore |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹6.15 crore |
| Mumbai Indians | ₹5.75 crore |
| Delhi Capitals | ₹5.70 crore |
What to Expect on Auction Day
- Expect intense battles for Deepti Sharma, Ecclestone, Healy, Amelia Kerr and Wolvaardt.
- UP Warriorz could use their RTM cards to regain their star trio.
- Gujarat Giants, with a heavy purse, may aggressively rebuild their squad.
- Several lesser-known players in the ₹50-lakh bracket may surprise everyone depending on team strategies.
The first few rounds featuring the marquee set will likely decide the tone of the entire auction.
Final Word
The WPL 2026 mega auction is going to be a huge one, more rivaling and more strategic compared to previous ones. When international walking legend stars and the best Indian players are ready for bidding, one can only imagine the drama, the unexpected turns, and a whole lot of high-priced deals.
No doubt, the marquee set will attract the most attention as the franchises will fight to get the top players before the tournament resumes next season.
Written By:- Manjunath S