Published on: Nov 6, 2025 3:40 pm IST|Updated on: Nov 6, 2025 3:53 pm IST
As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) gears up for its 2026 mega auction, the retention rules have taken center stage. With franchises allowed to retain only a limited number of players, and Right to Match (RTM) cards adding strategic depth, the retention framework is designed to balance squad continuity with auction dynamism.
People often get confused about the rules and regulations regarding the WPL. To simplify all the confusion, we have come up with a comprehensive breakdown of the WPL 2026 retention rules.
Each of the five franchises, i.e., Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants, can retain a maximum of five players ahead of the auction. However, there are strict caps based on player categories:
This structure ensures that no team can monopolize talent, especially overseas stars. It also forces franchises to make tough calls on experienced Indian players, balancing performance, leadership, and auction strategy.
Each team begins the auction with a purse of ₹15 crore. Retaining players leads to automatic deductions based on their category and previous salary bracket. These deductions are non-negotiable and directly impact auction flexibility.
For example, retaining a capped Indian like Smriti Mandhana or Harmanpreet Kaur could cost up to ₹2 crore, while an uncapped domestic player like Shweta Sehrawat might only deduct ₹0.2 crore. Overseas stars like Nat Sciver-Brunt or Ashleigh Gardner typically fall in the higher bracket.
The 2026 auction introduces Right to Match (RTM) cards, allowing franchises to reclaim one Indian and one overseas player they previously released, provided they match the winning bid.
RTM adds a tactical layer to the auction. For instance, if Delhi Capitals release Meg Lanning but want to bring her back, they can use their overseas RTM card, assuming they match the final bid. However, RTM is only valid for players who were part of the franchise in WPL 2025.
These dates are critical for franchises to finalize strategy, scout replacements, and prepare for bidding wars.
The retention rules have already shaped team strategies:
The RTM option could be pivotal for reclaiming marquee names like Alyssa Healy, Renuka Singh, or Meg Lanning, especially if bidding escalates.
When are the WPL 2026 Auctions?
The 2026 WPL auctions will take place on November 27, 2025.
Where will the WPL 2026 Auctions take place?
The 2026 WPL auctions will be taking place in the country’s capital, i.e., New Delhi.
How many total players can a team retain?
A maximum of 5 players are allowed to be retained in the squad.
How many overseas players can a team retain?
A maximum of 2 overseas players are allowed to be retained in the squad.
How many capped Indian players can a team retain?
A maximum of 3 capped Indian players are allowed to be retained in the squad.
Ahead of the mega auctions, each franchise will have to do their homework regarding what players they should target to assemble a balanced squad. It is a mentally challenging process, and the think tank has to be spot on to do the needful. A lot of permutations and combinations are going to take place on the auction day, and we will bring you all the updates.