WPL 2026 Auction: 6 released players teams might target with RTM cards

CricTracker

newspoint|26-11-2025

WPL 2026: 6 Released players teams may use RTM card to buy back at Auction. (Source:WPL)

The Women’s Premier League is set for its first mega auction, with the event scheduled to take place on November 27 in Delhi. A total of 277 players, including 83 overseas names, will go under the hammer for 73 available slots, but the Right-to-Match (RTM) card is expected to be a major option for teams.

For the first time, franchises can use RTM to buy back players who were part of their 2025 squad.

UP Warriorz, who retained only Shweta Sehrawat, hold the strongest hand with four RTM cards and a massive INR 14.50 crore purse. Gujarat Giants have three RTMs (Indian players only), while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have one card for an uncapped Indian. Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, both of whom retained the maximum five players, will enter the auction without any RTM options.

Here are the top 6 released uncapped Indian players likely to fetch big money at auction 6. Grace Harris Grace Harris (Source:WPL)

Australian all-rounder Grace Harris is one player for the UP Warriorz to target with their RTM card at the mega-auction.

The 32-year-old has been one of the strongest overseas players in the league. In 22 WPL matches, Harris has scored 581 runs at a strike rate of 140.33, including three fifties, and has consistently scored for the Warriorz.

Harris is also lethal with the ball, having picked up 13 wickets in the league, with a best of 4/15. Although she recently missed the ODI World Cup due to a calf strain, her. With her base price set at INR 30 lakh and several teams eyeing reliable power-hitters, UP Warriorz may well use their RTM card to bring back her services.

5. Alana King Alana King celebrates after taking a wicket against South Africa (Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Australian spinner Alana King could be seen as a strong RTM option for her former franchise UP Warriorz. Although she barely featured in the last WPL edition, bowling just 18 deliveries without a wicket, her recent World Cup heroics have completely changed the perceptions.

The leggie was one of the best performers in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, finishing with 13 wickets in seven matches. Her record-breaking 7/18 against South Africa not only became the best figures in Women’s World Cup history, but also single-handedly guided Australia toward the semi-finals.

In the WBBL 2024-25 season, she bagged 20 wickets in 10 matches, making her a valuable asset on spin-friendly Indian pitches. With specialist bowlers being rare commodities in the WPL pool, UP Warriorz may seriously consider using the RTM card to bring King back into their setup.

4. Kranti Goud Kranti Goud (Source: Twitter/X)

Kranti Gaud is one of India’s most exciting young fast bowlers, and her recent performance has made her a strong RTM (Right to Match) contender for WPL 2026. Part of the Indian team that lifted the Women’s ODI World Cup, the right-arm pacer bagged eight wickets in nine matches. Her ability to break partnerships and maintain pressure makes her a valuable asset in the power play.

Kranti is expected to attract serious interest in the mega auction. Both MI and UP Warriorz have seen her as a potential game-changer as they look to strengthen their bowling units. Given her World Cup performance, it would not be surprising if Kranti’s price rivals that of senior stars.

3. Kashvee Gautam Kashvee Gautam. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Young pacer Kashvee Gautam will be one of the most interesting released players who could be brought back through the RTM card. The young Chandigarh-born pacer created headlines in the 2024 auction when she became the costliest uncapped Indian player, fetching INR 2 crore from Gujarat Giants. 

Despite being released ahead of the 2026 auction, Kashvee is a strong RTM candidate for the Giants. With a base price of INR 30 lakh, she has the skillset for a team looking to strengthen its Indian pace unit. In nine WPL games, she has picked 11 wickets at an economy of 6.45. The 22-year-old fits perfectly into the uncapped RTM slot, giving the franchise a long-term fast-bowling asset who can also contribute handy lower-order runs.

2. Deepti Sharma Deepti Sharma (Source: BCCI)

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma will be one of the looked-forward-to Indian names available, and UP Warriorz will undoubtedly consider using the RTM card to bring her back. Coming off being named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, where she finished with 22 wickets, Deepti’s current form will lead to UP in getting back their star player. With 500-plus runs and 27 wickets from 25 WPL matches, she is one of the league’s most reliable all-rounders.

Her ability to bat anywhere in the order, pick wickets with her off-spin, and captaincy experience with UPW last season, makes her a solid asset. UP Warriorz, who head into the auction with the highest purse and a need for experienced Indian players and a new captain, will be keen to secure her again. However, Gujarat Giants, searching for experienced Indian batters and a strong bowling core, could push hard, making Deepti one of the most costly picks.

1. Harleen Deol Harleen Deol . (Photo Source: Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images)

Star Indian batter, Harleen Deol, is expected to be one of the big names at the WPL 2026 auction, and the Gujarat Giants could strongly consider using their RTM card to bring her back. Despite picking her at a base price of INR 40 lakh earlier, GG released her ahead of the mega auction. With only two players retained, the franchise now needs experienced Indian batters and dependable middle-order options.

The right-handed batter has scored 482 runs in 20 WPL matches at an average of 30.12, including two fifties. Last season alone, she smashed 232 runs in nine games at an average of 38.66 and a strike rate above 120. Former India captain Anjum Chopra even called her a multi-talented player every franchise will target, praising her batting potential. In the recent World Cup, she scored 169 runs in five innings.