WPL 2026: Big Revamp on the Cards
Mumbai: The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is gearing up for a massive shake-up ahead of its 2026 season, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deciding to conduct a mega auction by November-end. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the five franchises have already received informal communication from the WPL governing council regarding the plan.
While the final auction date hasn’t been confirmed yet, the decision marks a major reset in the short but impactful history of the women’s league — one that could redefine the composition of every team.
Teams Await Clarity on Retentions and Purse
Franchises are currently awaiting confirmation from the WPL committee on key details such as the number of player retentions, auction purse limits, retention slabs, and right-to-match (RTM) options. These parameters will shape how much of each squad can be retained before the hammer goes down.
The 2026 WPL season is expected to take place in the January-February window, in line with the BCCI’s previous schedule pattern.
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Franchises Divided Over the Mega Auction
Not all teams are thrilled about the decision. Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Delhi Capitals (DC) — who have all performed strongly since the league’s inception — are reportedly against a full-scale auction.
Their reasoning? They’ve spent years carefully crafting balanced squads and establishing strong team identities. A complete revamp, they argue, could undo that hard work.
On the other hand, UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants are in favour of the move, hoping a mega auction will allow them to rebuild and strengthen after missing out on the finals in the past three seasons.
A WPL official noted that while established teams fear losing their core, the auction will ensure competitive parity, allowing all five franchises to start on more equal footing.
Expected Retention and RTM Rules
Sources suggest that teams might be allowed to retain around five players, although some franchises have pushed for six or seven. The WPL committee will also determine how many Right-to-Match (RTM) cards each team can use.
For context, during the 2025 IPL mega auction, franchises could retain up to six players (five capped and two uncapped), combining both direct retentions and RTMs.
The RTM rule, which allows teams to buy back a player by matching the highest bid, hasn’t been used in WPL so far — but could make its debut this season.
WPL: The Game-Changer in Women’s Cricket
Since its launch in 2023, the WPL has completely transformed the landscape of women’s cricket. From huge financial deals to global visibility, the league has become one of the most lucrative women’s sporting tournaments worldwide.
Viacom18 holds the broadcasting rights worth ₹951 crore (2023–2027), with each match valued at over ₹7 crore. The inaugural auction saw Smriti Mandhana emerge as the costliest player at ₹3.2 crore, reflecting the league’s growing prestige.
Mumbai Indians won the first and third editions, while RCB lifted the trophy in 2024, cementing the WPL as a tournament of shifting dominance and fierce rivalries.
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What’s Next?
As the BCCI finalises the retention and RTM framework, franchises are expected to begin internal evaluations by late October. With the auction likely around November-end, the next few weeks could define the shape of WPL’s future — one where strategy, scouting, and balance may matter more than ever.
