The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction was nothing short of a Bollywood thriller. Held in New Delhi on November 27, 2025, the auction saw all five franchises—Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz—completely rebuilding their squads. With a mega-auction format, big-name shifts, and a massive purse of INR 41.1 crore up for grabs, the day was packed with shocks.

If you missed the live action, don’t worry. Here is a deep dive into the biggest surprises, the record-breaking bids, and the tactical masterclasses that redefined the WPL landscape for the 2026 season.

1. Deepti Sharma: The Undisputed Queen of the Auction

The biggest headline of the night was India’s star all-rounder, Deepti Sharma. Fresh off a stellar performance as the "Player of the Tournament" in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, Deepti was always expected to be in high demand.

However, the way it went down was spectacular. UP Warriorz used their Right to Match (RTM) card to snatch her back for a staggering INR 3.20 crore. This makes her the most expensive player in WPL 2026 auction history, sitting just behind Smriti Mandhana’s 3.5 crore retention record. UP Warriorz clearly signaled that Deepti is the heart of their future plans.

2. The Great Australian Heartbreak: Alyssa Healy Unsold

Perhaps the most jaw-dropping moment of the entire auction occurred within the first ten minutes. Alyssa Healy, the legendary Australian captain and one of the most destructive openers in world cricket, went unsold.

When her name was called first, the room went silent. No franchise raised a paddle. It was a tactical shocker—teams seemed to prioritize younger talent or had already locked in their wicketkeeping options through retentions. To see a legend like Healy not find a home in WPL 2026 was a reality check for everyone: reputation doesn't guarantee a seat at the table anymore.

3. Shikha Pandey’s Massive Payday

If you were looking for an "underdog" story, look no further than Shikha Pandey. The veteran Indian pacer, who hasn't been a regular in the national side recently, became the third-most expensive buy of the auction.

UP Warriorz shelled out INR 2.40 crore for her. Why? Because quality Indian fast bowlers are rare. UPW needed an experienced leader for their pace attack, and they were willing to break the bank to get her. It was a huge "surprise" bid that left many fans and analysts scratching their heads, but it shows how much teams value domestic experience.

Top 5 Most Expensive Buys: A Quick Look

The auction saw money flowing like water for top-tier all-rounders. Here are the players who walked away with the biggest contracts:

Mumbai Indians Bring Back the "Kerr" Magic

Amelia Kerr has been the backbone of Mumbai Indians' success in previous seasons. Even though it was a mega-auction where teams often look for fresh faces, MI knew they couldn't let their Kiwi superstar go.

They engaged in a fierce bidding war and finally secured her for INR 3.00 crore. Seeing MI spend nearly 50% of their remaining purse on one player was a bold move, but it guarantees them 4 overs of world-class leg-spin and a top-order batter who knows how to win trophies.

The Rise of the "Uncapped" Stars

One of the most heartwarming parts of the WPL is seeing unknown domestic players become overnight millionaires. This year, Shree Charani was the breakout star. Delhi Capitals paid INR 1.30 crore for her—nearly five times her base price!

Another surprise was Nandani Sharma, who went to Delhi Capitals for INR 20 lakh. While the price wasn't huge, the faith was. And it paid off—just yesterday (January 11, 2026), she made history by taking the first-ever hat trick for Delhi Capitals against Gujarat Giants!

Strategic Steals: Smart Buys on a Budget

While some teams spent big, others waited for the right moment to strike.

• Renuka Singh (Gujarat Giants): Getting India’s premier swing bowler for just INR 60 lakh felt like a daylight robbery.

• Laura Wolvaardt (Delhi Capitals): The South African captain is arguably one of the most elegant batters in the world. DC got her for INR 1.10 crore, which is a bargain for a player of her caliber.

• Shabnim Ismail (Mumbai Indians): The "fastest bowler in women's cricket" went for a modest INR 60 lakh. MI’s ability to pick up world-class pace at that price was a masterstroke.

Why did so many stars go unsold?

It wasn't just Alyssa Healy. Big names like Alana King, Tazmin Brits, and Grace Harris (initially) struggled to find bidders. There are three main reasons for this:

1. Purse Constraints: With only INR 12 crore per team, franchises couldn't afford to have too many "superstars."

2. RTM Tactical Play: Teams were scared to bid high on players, fearing the original team would just use the Right to Match card.

3. Domestic Focus: Franchises have realized that you win the WPL with strong Indian talent, not just four overseas stars. They saved their money for the likes of Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey.

Team-by-Team Quick Summary

• UP Warriorz: The biggest spenders. They built a "Galacticos" squad with Deepti, Lanning, and Ecclestone.

• Mumbai Indians: Stuck to their core. They believe in the "MI Family" and spent big to keep Kerr and Ismail.

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Focused on balance. They picked up Pooja Vastrakar (85L) and Nadine de Klerk (65L) to support Smriti Mandhana.

• Delhi Capitals: The smartest bidders. They balanced young Indian talent like Shree Charani with global icons like Marizanne Kapp.

• Gujarat Giants: A total makeover. After finishing last in previous seasons, they brought in Sophie Devine and Georgia Wareham to change their fortunes.

Conclusion: A New Era for WPL

The 2026 Auction proved that the Women's Premier League has matured. It’s no longer just about the biggest names in world cricket; it’s about value, roles, and domestic strength. Seeing a legend like Alyssa Healy go unsold while an uncapped Indian player gets over a crore shows that the league is evolving.

The squads look more balanced than ever, and with the season now underway, the competition is fierce. If the auction was this unpredictable, imagine what the final will be like!