anticipation of Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Mega auction has gained momentum after India’s historic ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 victory under the captaincy Harmanpreet KaurThe win on November 2 shined an unprecedented spotlight on the domestic pools, validating the impact of the WPL.
Franchises are now well aware of the winning mentality and ability to handle pressure of Indian players, which is increasing their value. There will also be tough competition from international stars who have played important roles in the World Cup. With a retention deadline of 5 November, this auction is now seen as an immediate financial and competitive extension of the World Cup success. The focus is now not just on talent but on the temperament proven in title-winning moments.
UP Warriors WPL Tour (2023-2025) led by Alyssa Healy and Deepti Sharma
UP Warriors (UPW) Has shown glimpses of talent but is yet to reach the final prize. In the inaugural 2023 season, under the leadership of Alyssa Healy, they fielded a competitive team that managed to secure a playoff spot, ultimately losing in the eliminator. He displayed the talent to attack with power grace harris and powered by a dominant spin attack Sophie EcclestoneThe 2024 season saw them struggle to maintain consistency, finishing in mid-table, highlighting the need for more credibility from their Indian origins.
The WPL 2025 season was particularly challenging for the Warriors. Despite having world class players like Ecclestone and Deepti SharmaInjuries and a lack of collective momentum saw them finish bottom of the table. His failure to master both bat and ball in the crucial death overs was a recurring issue. The mega auction will present an important opportunity for the new-look leadership, now focused on Deepti’s World Cup success, to rebuild the foundation around a stable, high-impact core.
Also read: WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians (MI) may retain 5 players before the Women’s Premier League mega auction
WPL 2026: 5 players UP Warriors (UPW) may retain ahead of Women’s Premier League mega auction
1. Deepti Sharma (Capped Indian all-rounder/captain)
Deepti Sharma is the strategic and emotional cornerstone of UP Warriors. After his leadership role and success in the World Cup 2025, his importance as a proven match-winner and strategic thinker is immense. His contribution as a genuine all-rounder, offering economical off-spin, vital death bowling and reliable middle-order batting, should keep him in good stead. Locking up Deepti ensures that the franchise secures its primary Indian international star, who has both the talent and temperament to win titles.
2. Sophie Ecclestone (foreign bowler)
Sophie Ecclestone is arguably the world’s most valuable bowler and the fulcrum of the UPW attack. Despite a mixed WPL 2025, his excellent quality and ranking as the world’s leading T20I spinner means he cannot be compromised. He finished WPL 2025 9 wickets And a respectable economy, consistently bowling tight spells in the middle overs. Retaining him along with Deepti Sharma creates one of the strongest spin duo in the league, giving UPW a significant competitive edge.
3. Alyssa Healy (overseas wicketkeeper-batsman)
Alyssa Healy offers world-class experience, explosive early firepower and the consistency of an excellent wicketkeeper. His aggressive batting creates an atmosphere at the top, which is vital to UPW’s success. One of the two allowed overseas retention, his influence as a multiple-time world champion given priority due to his experience and his ability to handle the top order. Their presence fulfills two overseas quotas, securing two high-impact, world-class players.
4. Kranti Gaur (capped Indian all-rounder)
Kranti Gaur is the ideal retention for the second capped Indian slot due to his phenomenal growth. After making her debut and being a part of the World Cup squad, she offers high-impact Indian fast bowling, which is a rare and premium commodity. Retaining him (at a higher slab price) ensures that the franchise locks in a long-term, match-winning fast bowler, whose value has skyrocketed since the WPL 2025 season.
5. Shweta Sehrawat (Uncapped Indian batsman)
Shweta Sehrawat nominated is an essential strategic retention uncapped indian playersa slot that required to be filled If UPW retains five players. Retaining a sensational young talent who was the leading run-scorer at the U-19 World Cup, he has acquired a high-potential, low-cost asset (minimum retention price ₹50 lakh). His retention preserves valuable purse space, secures a future top-ranked star, and fills a critical structural need for the team’s future.
| hole | player | Role | capped position | Key WPL 2025 performances | plea |
| 1. | Deepti Sharma | all-rounder | shadowed indian | 122 runs and 8 wickets. Gave India the title of World Cup 2025. | Captaincy and Premium Indian Core: The indispensable leader and India’s premier all-rounder. His proven temperament, bowling effectiveness and vital batting make him a non-negotiable retention. |
| 2. | Sophie Ecclestone | bowler | migrant | 9 wickets and 98 runs. World No. 1 ranked T20I bowler. | World Class Spin Anchor: The best spinner in the world, essential for controlling the middle overs. It is important to maintain this to strengthen UPW’s primary bowling strength. |
| 3. | Alyssa Healy | wicketkeeper-batsman | migrant | Took UPW to the playoffs in 2023. Leading attacking opening batsman. | Explosive opener and leader: Despite the injury, his history as a successful captain and explosive top-order batsman is very valuable. Meets two-foreigner quota. |
| 4. | Kranti Gaur | all-rounder | shadowed indian | World Cup 2025 debut. High impact Indian fast bowling all-rounder. | Premium Indian Pace Asset: Retained to secure a long-term, match-winning fast bowling all-rounder. She uses the second capped Indian retention slot. |
| 5. | Shweta Sehrawat | batter | untapped indian | High-scoring India Under-19 and domestic performers. | Mandatory Uncapped Players: Meets the structural need for a fifth retention slot. Retaining this high potential star on the lowest retention slab is strategically good for the auction. |
Also read: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appoints new bowling coach ahead of WPL 2026
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.