WPL sets late-Nov mega auction window for 2026 with retention rules

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has set a late-November timeline for the first mega auction in the Womens Premier League ahead of the 2026 season, formally notifying the five franchises of a retention deadline and auction window. Franchises must submit retained-player lists by November 5, and the auction is scheduled to run between November 25 and 29, with an auction purse of 15 crore rupees allocated to each team.

Under the retention rules communicated to teams, each franchise may keep up to five players. Category limits allow a maximum of three capped Indian players, two overseas players, and two uncapped Indian players overall, and any full five-player retention must include at least one uncapped Indian. The league has set standard retention valuation slabs of 3.5 crore for Player 1, 2.5 crore for Player 2, 1.75 crore for Player 3, 1 crore for Player 4 and 50 lakh for Player 5. Those sums will be deducted from the 15 crore purse to determine funds remaining for the auction if a franchise retains players. Teams and players may negotiate different retention values, with any agreed amount charged against the purse.

For the first time in WPL history teams will have...