The WPL 2026 mega-auction, which took place on November 27 in New Delhi, brought plenty of surprises as all five franchises revamped their teams. A total of 277 players, consisting of 194 Indians and 83 internationals, were part of the auction. Ultimately, 67 players were picked, and the overall expenditure amounted to Rs 40.8 crore.

The highlight of the auction was Deepti Sharma, who was named Player of the Tournament at the Women’s World Cup. She returned to UP Warriorz for Rs 3.2 crore through a Right-to-Match card, making her the most expensive pick. Other key signings included Amelia Kerr joining the Mumbai Indians for Rs 3 crore, Sophie Devine moving to the Gujarat Giants for Rs 2 crore, and Meg Lanning being picked by UP Warriorz for Rs 1.9 crore.

In a surprising development, Alyssa Healy, a highly regarded figure in women’s cricket, went unsold, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the auction. The event ultimately reshaped the squads, combining experienced international players with rising domestic talent, while several franchises secured impressive players through strategic deals for the 2026 season.

Sophie Ecclestone

England’s Sophie Ecclestone, who was expected to fetch a high bid, was surprisingly bought for Rs 85 lakh. A top-class spinner with 36 wickets at an economy rate of from 25 WPL matches, Ecclestone also provides valuable lower-order batting strength. Starting at a base price of Rs 50 lakh, the UP Warriorz successfully brought her back using their RTM card after a bidding competition with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals.

Kranti Goud

Kranti Goud made her WPL debut last season, taking six wickets in eight matches. In May, she earned her first call-up to the Indian team for the tri-series in Sri Lanka after Kashvee Gautam’s injury. Goud impressed immediately, taking six wickets in a match against England in Chester-le-Street, showcasing her ability.

Goud’s impressive form continued in the Women’s World Cup squad, where she further enhanced her reputation by taking nine wickets in eight matches. She had a base price of Rs 50 lakh. Delhi Capitals made the first bid, but the UP Warriorz successfully used their RTM card to retain her at the same price.

Renuka Singh

Renuka Singh, one of India’s key pacers, went for just Rs 60 lakh in the auction, less than expected. She had a base price of Rs 40 lakh, and Gujarat Giants outbid UP Warriorz to sign her. Even with modest WPL numbers of 13 wickets in 23 matches, Renuka’s ability to strike early with the new ball makes her a strong addition to the team.

Lizelle Lee

The retired South African wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee is still one of the hardest hitters in the game. In 2024, she made history in the WBBL by scoring two consecutive centuries, including a blazing 150 and a 103 off 59 balls. Her strike rate of 132.41 in the WBBL and 130.71 in The Hundred shows her potential. In the WPL auction, Delhi Capitals bought her for just Rs 30 lakh, with no other team showing interest.

Gongadi Trisha

Gongadi Trisha, star of India’s U19 Women’s T20 World Cup win earlier this year, was named Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament after scoring 309 runs and taking seven wickets. She played a key role in India’s U19 Asia Cup victory and was part of the 2023 World Cup-winning squad. Despite her standout performances, Trisha went unsold in the first instance in the WPL auction before being picked up by the UP Warriorz for Rs 10 lakh.