The 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) mega auction in New Delhi moved at a fast pace. All five teams — UP Warriorz, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Giants — fought hard to form strong squads.
The auction had 277 players in the pool, including 194 Indians and 83 overseas players, but only 73 spots were open. Teams pushed their limits as bidding became aggressive.
The biggest moment arrived when Deepti Sharma secured a massive Rs 3.20 crore deal from UP Warriorz, making her the most expensive buy of the season. Meanwhile, fans were shocked when Alyssa Healy went unsold, which quickly became one of the biggest debates online.
Mumbai Indians Build Smartly
Mumbai Indians worked with one of the smallest purses, but they planned well. They brought back Amelia Kerr for Rs 3 crore, showing their trust in her all-round skills.
They also kept their 2025 title-winning core, including Hayley Matthews, Shabnim Ismail, and Saika Ishaque. The addition of experienced all-rounder Nicola Carey strengthened both their batting and bowling. Mumbai focused on stability and balance.
Delhi Capitals Mix Experience With Young Talent
Delhi Capitals targeted a blend of youth and experience. They picked Laura Wolvaardt, Shree Charani, and Chinelle Henry, boosting their batting and spin options.
Their spin group now looks stronger in the middle overs. At the top, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma continue to give consistency. With Taniya Bhatia back as wicketkeeper and Lizelle Lee joining the batting unit, DC appear well-balanced and ready for the future.
RCB Focus on Depth Over Glamour
Royal Challengers Bengaluru built a sensible and steady squad. They signed hard-hitting batters Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, and Nadine de Klerk.
Their bowling attack has good variety. Pooja Vastrakar and Lauren Bell add pace, while Radha Yadav and Linsey Smith strengthen the spin department. RCB clearly chose squad depth and balance instead of headline-making buys.
UP Warriorz Make the Biggest Moves
UP Warriorz stayed busy throughout the auction. They secured Deepti Sharma for Rs 3.20 crore. They also added former Australia captain Meg Lanning, young star Phoebe Litchfield, and power-hitter Deandra Dottin, which makes their batting very strong.
Their spin attack shines with Sophie Ecclestone, while seamers Shikha Pandey, Kranti Goud, and Kiran Navgire bring variety. UPW have clearly chosen a strong mix of experience and youth.
Gujarat Giants Fall Behind Rivals
Gujarat Giants struggled to make big moves. They retained key players Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner, but their overall auction performance looked slow.
Both their batting and bowling units appear weaker compared to other teams. GG will depend heavily on a few senior players to deliver. On paper, they seem the least competitive among the five franchises.