Picking the strongest playing XI among sold players from WPL 2026 Auction ft. Amelia Kerr, Deepti Sharma

The Women's Premier League (WPL) conducted the first-ever mega auction after the culmination of the first cycle since its inception in 2023. Franchises were allowed to retain a maximum of five players before coming into the event on Thursday, November 27, in New Delhi.

All five teams had the task of forging a new squad as part of their first-ever major shake-up. Team India all-rounder Deepti Sharma emerged as the most-expensive signing on the auction floor after UP Warriorz used the Right to Match Card to bring her back. Among overseas players, Amelia Kerr, received the highest bid as MI shelled out INR 3 crore to re-sign her.

The 2026 edition of the WPL will be held from January 9 to February 5 in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, as confirmed by the WPL chairman, Jayesh George.

On that note, let us pick the strongest playing XI among sold players from the WPL 2026 Auction.

Top Order: Meg Lanning (C), Yastika Bhatia, and Harleen Deol

Despite being riddled with injuries in recent times and unsure of recovering in time and participating in the 2026 edition, the Gujarat Giants (GG) took a punt to secure her services. Given the lack of quality, experienced wicket-keepers in the auction pool, Yastika Bhatia emerges as a clear candidate to don the gloves in this combined XI.

Meg Lanning did not find a place among the Delhi Capitals' retention list amid their desire for an Indian captain. However, the veteran Australian batter did have admirers at the auction table, eventually going to the UP Warriorz, who decided not to buy back Alyssa Healy. With her experience and rich vein of form, she is among the players to look forward to in the next edition.

Given that most franchises kept hold of their top-rated Indian batters during retention, there were not many experienced or prolific candidates that were in the auction pool. However, the UP Warriorz managed to snap Harleen Deol up for her base price of INR 50 Lakh. She could prove to be a valuable asset as a link between the top and the middle order.

Middle Order: Amelia Kerr, Deepti Sharma, Chinelle Henry

Unsurprisingly, the most expensive overseas acquisition at the auction, New Zealand's Amelia Kerr, rejoined MI after being initially released. Given that only two overseas players could be retained, the defending champions went with Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews while shelling out a major chunk of their purse on Kerr.

The all-rounder is a vital cog in MI's plans with both bat and ball, and is their second-highest wicket-taker as well. With Kerr back in the setup with the rest of their core, MI have more or less the same formula that delivered them two titles in three years.

Recently crowned the player of the tournament at the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, Deepti Sharma was the most expensive acquisition at the 2026 WPL Auction. She was surprisingly sold to DC for her base price of INR 50 Lakh, before UP Warriorz used their RTM to bring her back to the team for INR 3.2 crore.

Chinelle Henry, who lit the 2025 WPL with her pyrotechnics for the UP Warriorz in the previous season, with a strike rate of 196, and slamming more sixes than fours, was roped in by the Delhi Capitals (DC). She ended up being their most expensive overseas signing, and the joint-most expensive buy overall at the auction at INR 1.3 crore.

Lower Order: Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar, Sophie Ecclestone, Renuka Singh Thakur

After stints with the Gujarat Giants and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first cycle of the WPL, she now heads to her third franchise as the Delhi Capitals acquired her for a price of INR 50 Lakh. Her all-round ability could prove handy for the side to attain the balance after losing out on Radha Yadav in the auction.

The aforementioned left-arm spinner, also one of the most stellar fielders going around, was snapped up by RCB for INR 65 Lakh. The franchise got their left-arm spinner after releasing Sophie Molineux after the 2025 season.

Another left-arm spinner who was touted to trigger a major bidding war was England's Sophie Ecclestone. However, it turned out to be an anti-climactic affair as only a few bids were on show, before UP Warriorz sealed her re-signing for just INR 80 Lakh.

Her price tag, which is a massive drop off from her initial price tag of close to INR 2 crore, does not justify her ability and reputation as one of the leading spinners in the world, and also as one of the highest wicket-takers in the WPL.

In terms of pacers, the auction had plenty for the franchises to choose, and that includes high-profile Indian first-team members Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar.