The much-anticipated Women’s Premier League 2026 player auction wrapped up in New Delhi on Thursday, with all five franchises successfully acquiring a total of 67 players. Mallika Sagar presided over the auction, which was characterized by significant player acquisitions and a few unexpected snubs, including the notable absence of a bid for Alyssa Healy.
UP Warriorz opted to retain all-rounder Deepti Sharma using their Right to Match (RTM) card, making her the auction’s most expensive player at ₹3.20 crore. Mumbai Indians significantly strengthened their spin attack by signing New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr for ₹3 crore. In a surprising development, Australian captain Alyssa Healy, whose base price was ₹50 lakh, went unsold. The auction produced a compelling mix of established stars and emerging talent, alongside players who did not secure contracts.
The upcoming WPL 2026 season is set to commence on January 8 or 9, with Mumbai and Baroda confirmed as the host cities. Key venues include the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, which recently hosted India’s historic ODI World Cup final victory. Baroda’s Kotambi Stadium is also designated as a venue, with the added prospect of hosting an India vs. New Zealand ODI on January 11, highlighting the stadium’s importance.