The countdown to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction is on, and franchises are assessing their financial strength after finalizing player retentions. This crucial step determines how much capital each team can deploy in the upcoming bidding war to assemble a winning squad for the new season. The auction promises strategic moves driven by available funds.
Each WPL franchise started with an initial budget of Rs 15 crore. Post-retention calculations reveal the following remaining purses for the WPL 2026 auction:
UP Warriorz are in the strongest financial position with Rs 14.50 crore to spend.
Gujarat Giants have a healthy Rs 9 crore to make key signings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be bidding with Rs 6.15 crore.
Mumbai Indians enter the auction with Rs 5.75 crore in their kitty.
Delhi Capitals have Rs 5.70 crore to strategize their buys.
Key players retained include Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Hayley Matthews for MI; Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma for DC; Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney for GG; and Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, and Shreyanka Patil for RCB. UP Warriorz have secured Shweta Sehrawat. The WPL 2026 mega auction is set to take place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, commencing at 3:30 PM IST in New Delhi.