WPL Auction 2026 highlights: Auction ends on a high note, UPW acquire Pratika Rawal for 50 lakhs

WPL Auction 2026 Highlights: The Women’s Premier League (WPL) conducted its first mega auction today (Thursday), with 277 players shortlisted, including 194 Indians and 83 from overseas. Deepti Sharma went for the highest price in the marquee set for 3.2 cr followed by Melie Kerr who went to MI for 3 Cr. The auction pool featured several star names such as India all-rounder Deepti Sharma, Kranti Goud, Shree Charani and overseas heavyweights Laura Wolvaardt and Sophie Ecclestone.

Five franchises competed for a total of 73 available slots. UP Warriorz entered the auction with the highest remaining purse of Rs 14.5 crore, while Delhi Capitals will operate with the lowest purse of Rs 5.70 crore.

Shockers from the marquee round

Everyone at the auction was initially taken by surprise when Sourav Ganguly led Delhi Capitals made the sole bid for the world cup winner. However, just as the auctioneer was about to bang the gavel UP warriorz came in clutch and racked up Deepti Sharma for Rs 3.2 crore using their first Right-to-Match (RTM) card.

Deepti’s signing set the tone for a thrilling auction where several seasoned marquee players and young stars triggered intense competition among the 5 available clubs. In another surprising moment to come out of the initial marquee round, 8 time World Cup champion Aleysa Healy went unsold at the auctions today. Healy had missed last year’s season due to an injury.

When will IPL 2026 start?

The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will start on January 9, 2026, with the final scheduled for February 5, 2026. The first leg, including the opening match, will be held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
The second leg, including the final, will move to the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.

This schedule was announced by WPL Chairperson Jayesh George during the WPL mega auction on November 27, 2025, and marks a shift from the league’s usual February-March window to avoid a clash with the Men’s T20 World Cup.