The WPL 2026 squads have been finalized after a major mega-auction, marking the start of an exciting season of the Women’s Premier League. The tournament is set to begin on January 9, 2026, with teams competing to claim the title.
A total of 67 players, including 23 overseas stars, were selected across the five franchises, with total spending reaching INR 40.8 crore, underscoring the league’s growing importance. In this article, we will provide a complete breakdown of all WPL 2026 squads, highlight top auction buys and marquee players, and give insights into each team’s composition.
WPL 2026 Auction Overview & Key Facts
The WPL 2026 mega-auction was held on 27 November 2025 at 3:30 PM IST in New Delhi.
A total of 277 players, 194 Indian and 83 overseas, were registered for the auction, competing for 73 available slots across the five franchises.
In the end, teams bought 67 players, including 23 overseas stars, and spent a combined ₹ 40.8 crore.
The auction offered teams a near-clean slate, while some core players were retained before the auction (for instance, two franchises retained up to five players each), most squads had to be rebuilt.
Some interesting patterns emerged: franchises balanced Indian and overseas talent, used the “Right to Match” (RTM) card to re-acquire certain players, and blended experienced international stars with fresh domestic talent, showing how strategic squad-making has become in WPL.
| Auction Detail | Number / Info |
|---|---|
| Auction Date & Time | 27 November 2025, 3:30 PM IST |
| Venue | New Delhi |
| Total Players Registered | 277 (194 Indian, 83 Overseas) |
| Total Slots Available | 73 (across 5 franchises) |
| Players Sold | 67 (44 Indian, 23 Overseas) |
| Total Money Spent | ₹ 40.8 crore |
| Retained Players | Some franchises retained up to 5 players each |
| Notable Trends | Balanced Indian & overseas picks, use of RTM (Right to Match), mix of experienced internationals and domestic talent |
WPL 2026 Full Squads and Captains of All Women’s Teams
Get the complete list of WPL 2026 women’s team squads along with their captains. Check out all players from the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru ready to compete in the upcoming season.
1. Mumbai Indians Women Squad 2026
- Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
- Players: Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver‑Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sajeevan Sajana, Saika Ishaque, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Rahila Firdous, Milly Illingworth, Nicola Carey
2. Delhi Capitals Women Squad 2026
- Captain: Jemimah Rodrigues
- Players: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Shree Charani, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Taniya Bhatia, Deeya Yadav, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandani Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Lizelle Lee
3. UP Warriorz Women Squad 2026
- Captain: Meg Lanning
- Players: Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Kranti Goud, Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Tara Norris, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, G Trisha, Pratika Rawal
4. Gujarat Giants Women Squad 2026
- Captain: Ashleigh Gardner
- Players: Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Anushka Sharma, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwar, Yastika Bhatia, Happy Kumari, Shivani Singh, Titas Sadhu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Danni Wyatt‑Hodge, Ayushi Soni
5. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Squad 2026
- Captain: Smriti Mandhana
- Players: Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Nadine de Klerk, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Georgia Voll, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, plus supporting squad members
Top Auction Buys & Standout Players of WPL 2026
The WPL 2026 auction featured high-value signings, with Deepti Sharma going for ₹3.20 Cr via RTM to UP Warriorz and Amelia Kerr the top overseas buy at ₹3.00 Cr for Mumbai Indians. Other key additions included Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants) and Meg Lanning (UP Warriorz).
Teams focused on all-around balance, securing players like Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Wareham, Nadine de Klerk, and Lauren Bell, showing a shift toward strategic squad-building rather than just marquee batters.
Surprises included RTM moves, such as UP Warriorz releasing and re-buying Deepti Sharma. The auction sets up a competitive and balanced WPL 2026, promising an exciting season ahead.
High-Value Auction Buys Table – WPL 2026
| Player Name | Team | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | UP Warriorz (RTM) | 3.2 Cr |
| Amelia Kerr | Mumbai Indians | 3 Cr |
| Sophie Devine | Gujarat Giants | 2 Cr |
| Shikha Pandey | UP Warriorz | 2.4 Cr |
| Meg Lanning | UP Warriorz | 1.9 Cr |
| Phoebe Litchfield | UP Warriorz | 1.2 Cr |
| Laura Wolvaardt | Delhi Capitals | 1.1 Cr |
| Georgia Wareham | Gujarat Giants | 1 Cr |
| Ashleigh Gardner | Gujarat Giants (R) | 3.5 Cr |
| Smriti Mandhana | RCB (R) | 3.5 Cr |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Mumbai Indians (R) | 2.5 Cr |
Indian vs Overseas Player Composition
Each WPL 2026 team features a mix of talented Indian and overseas players, carefully balanced to strengthen batting, bowling, and all-round capabilities. Understanding this composition highlights how franchises are building well-rounded squads for the season.
| Team | Indian Players | Overseas Players | Total Squad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 10 | 6 | 16 |
| Delhi Capitals | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| UP Warriorz | 10 | 8 | 18 |
| Gujarat Giants | 9 | 7 | 16 |
| RCB Women | 10 | 6 | 16 |
Squad Analysis, Team Strengths & Player Spotlight
The WPL 2026 squads show a mix of bat-heavy, bowling-strong, and well-rounded teams. Mumbai Indians and RCB Women look balanced, while UP Warriorz could be a “dark horse” with key buys like Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning, and Shikha Pandey. Captains Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Meg Lanning will be crucial in leading their teams and shaping strategies.
Player Spotlight
- Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz) – The highest RTM buy, Deepti strengthens both batting and bowling, giving her team crucial all-round depth.
- Amelia Kerr (Mumbai Indians) – As the top overseas purchase, her batting and spin options provide the Mumbai Indians with consistent match-winning potential.
- Meg Lanning (UP Warriorz) – Adds experienced leadership and stability to the middle order, making her a vital asset for pressure situations.
Final Take: WPL 2026 Squads Set the Stage for an Exciting Season
The 2026 WPL mega auction and retention period have created balanced and competitive squads across all franchises. While marquee batters remain important, teams clearly prioritised all-rounders, bowling depth, and overseas-Indian balance, reflecting a maturing league strategy.
Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants opted for stability with measured signings, whereas UP Warriorz took bold steps with high-profile buys. The combination of experienced internationals and emerging Indian talent promises an unpredictable and action-packed season, highlighting the growing strength and appeal of women’s franchise cricket in India.
Fans can expect high-quality, competitive action throughout WPL 2026.