WPL 2026 Auction Highlights: Major Surprises and Big Deals
Alyssa Healy's Shocking Auction Outcome
In a surprising turn of events, prominent Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy went unsold at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction held on Thursday. Healy was the first player to be auctioned off, but her recent struggles with fitness since the last T20 World Cup and inconsistent performance in the ongoing Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) led to her not being picked. Previously, she was acquired for Rs 70 lakh by UP Warriorz during the WPL 2023 auction.
Amelia Kerr Secures Big Deal with Mumbai Indians
New Zealand's Amelia Kerr made headlines by being sold to the Mumbai Indians for an impressive Rs three crore. Kerr has been a key player in the Mumbai teams that clinched two championships in the WPL. The auction saw a fierce competition between UP Warriorz and Mumbai for her services, but ultimately, Mumbai secured her for Rs three crore, a significant increase from her previous signing of Rs one crore in WPL 2023.
Delhi Capitals Acquire Laura Wolvaardt
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt was picked up by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 1.10 crore. Wolvaardt showcased her batting prowess during the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. Starting with a base price of Rs 30 lakh, the bidding quickly escalated, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru initiating the process. However, Delhi Capitals aggressively pursued her, ultimately winning the bid at Rs 1.1 crore. This acquisition is strategic for Delhi, as Wolvaardt can step in as captain and open the batting alongside Shafali Verma in the upcoming WPL 2026 season, filling the void left by the release of Australian star Meg Lanning.
Other Players Left Unsold
Notably, South African opener Tazmin Brits and Indian cricketer S Meghana also went unsold during the WPL 2026 auction.
WPL 2026 Auction Overview
The WPL 2026 auction featured a total of 277 cricketers, with 194 being Indian players and 83 from overseas. Among the Indian players, 52 are capped, while the overseas contingent includes 66 capped players.