New Delhi: All-rounder Deepti Sharma and fast bowler Renuka Singh are the only Indian cricketers named in the marquee set for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction, scheduled to take place in the national capital on November 27.
The marquee group also includes New Zealand stars Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr, England’s premier spinner Sophie Ecclestone, Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy, multiple-time World Cup–winning skipper Meg Lanning, and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt.
Six players in the marquee category have opted for a base price of INR 50 lakh, while Renuka enters at INR 40 lakh and Wolvaardt at INR 30 lakh. Deepti—Player of the Tournament in India’s 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup triumph—Ecclestone and Healy previously represented UP Warriorz, who still hold four right-to-match (RTM) options and could bid to bring them back.
In total, 277 players will go under the hammer for 73 vacancies. The list comprises 194 Indian cricketers—52 capped and 142 uncapped—competing for 50 domestic slots, while 66 overseas capped players and 17 foreign uncapped players will vie for 23 international spots.
Among the pool, 19 players have entered with the top base-price category of INR 50 lakh, followed by 11 players in the INR 40 lakh tier and 88 players listed at INR 30 lakh.
India batter Harleen Deol, formerly with Gujarat Giants, headlines the capped all-rounders’ list at the INR 50 lakh bracket. Her ODI World Cup–winning teammates Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and N Shree Charani have all set their base price at INR 30 lakh.
Assam wicketkeeper Uma Chetry, who was India’s back-up glovework option in the recent World Cup, and pacer Kranti Gaud, previously with UPW, have also listed themselves in the INR 50 lakh range. Australia leg-spinner Alana King (INR 40 lakh) and India spinners Asha Sobhana, Priya Mishra, and Saika Ishaque (all INR 30 lakh) appear in the sixth auction set.
Notably absent from Australia’s 23-player auction group are Tahlia McGrath (UPW) and Sophie Molineux (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
The auction catalogue features 22 players from England, 13 from New Zealand, and 11 from South Africa. Sri Lanka will be represented by Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Inoka Ranaweera, with Chamari returning after a season with UPW. Bangladesh’s Marufa Akter, Shorna Akter, and Rabeya Khan have also entered the pool.
Thailand’s left-arm spinner Thipatcha Putthawong is her country’s lone representative, while USA seamer Tara Norris—the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in the WPL and a former Delhi Capitals player—is the only American in the auction.
UAE captain Esha Oza and wicketkeeper Theertha Satish round out the four players from Associate nations. No players from Ireland or Scotland are part of this year’s list.
Among the five franchises, UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants will enter with the largest purses—INR 14.50 crore and INR 9 crore, respectively. They are followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (INR 6.15 crore), Mumbai Indians (INR 5.75 crore), and Delhi Capitals (INR 5.70 crore). Having retained five players each, MI and DC will not have any RTM options available.
