WPL 2026: BCCI Announces ₹15 Crore Auction Purse and New Retention Rules. BCCI has made several changes and clarifications regarding the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, and, in a further step, the teams are set for a massive mega auction. ESPNcricinfo reported that each franchise will have auction purses of ₹15 crore and will have changes to both player retention protocols and team composition rules.
Retention Rules and Player Categories
Franchises can now retain up to five players before the auction. The combination must meet retention requirements—up to three capped Indian players, two overseas players, and two uncapped Indian players. It is important to note that if a franchise retains five, at least one must be an uncapped Indian player.
This is an important rule that seeks to balance player experience and newer domestic player slots and place emphasis on developing additional new Indian women cricketers.
Right to Match (RTM) Initiated
For the first time in WPL history, it will also be allowed for franchises to use the Right-to-Match (RTM) card in the auction process. The number of RTM options available will differ based on how many players are retained—teams. If a team retains five contracted players, it cannot use an RTM card, while holding onto four players provides up to four RTM cards, three players up to three RTM cards, and so on.
The retention deadline is November 5, 2025, while the mega auction is likely to be held November 25–29, 2025. Teams will be faced with tough decisions weighing star power against the depth of the team. The introduction of an uncapped player clause to the new purse limits and RTM flexibility further bolsters India’s domestic cricket pipeline.
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With the countdown now begun, WPL 2026 will be one of the most competitive and strategically compelling seasons in the history of women’s cricket.
