Mumbai: The IPL 2026 auction is expected to be held on December 15 in India, bringing the event back home, while the WPL prepares for its first-ever mega auction in Delhi.
IPL 2026 Auction Date and Venue
The Indian Premier League 2026 auction is likely to take place on December 15, according to sources. Although the official confirmation is pending, the BCCI is considering holding the auction in India after hosting the previous two editions abroad in Dubai in 2023 and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2024.
This year’s event will be a mini-auction, focused on filling key team gaps rather than complete squad rebuilds.
Player Retention Deadline and Trade Window
All IPL franchises must submit their final list of retained and released players by November 15.
So far, there have been no confirmed trades. The rumored move of Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals has not materialized yet. Reports also suggest a possible trade discussion between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders for KL Rahul, but nothing has been finalized.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Auction Date Revealed: Indian Venue Confirmed, Big Player Moves Expected!
WPL 2026 Mega Auction and Player Retentions
The Women’s Premier League 2026 is set to hold its first-ever mega auction on November 27 in Delhi. This marks an important milestone since the league’s debut.
Leading Indian players such as Harmanpreet Kaur of Mumbai Indians, Smriti Mandhana of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals stars Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma have all been retained by their respective franchises.
Deepti Sharma Released but May Return via RTM
In a surprising decision, the UP Warriorz have released India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who was the Player of the Tournament in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. She took 22 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.40 and scored 215 runs at 30.71 with three fifties.
However, the Warriorz are expected to use the Right-to-Match card to bring her back. This will be the first time the RTM rule is used in the Women’s Premier League. Deepti also captained the side in Alyssa Healy’s absence during the 2025 season.
WPL Team Retentions and Released Players
Mumbai Indians have retained Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amanjot Kaur, G Kamalini, and Hayley Matthews. Delhi Capitals kept Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland, and Niki Prasad. the maximum number of five allowed.
Gujarat Giants retained Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued with Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, and Shreyanka Patil.
Meanwhile, global icons Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, and Amelia Kerr are set to enter the WPL 2026 auction pool after being released by their teams.
What Fans Can Expect
Both IPL and WPL auctions promise plenty of excitement, strategic bidding, and surprise signings. With star players entering the auction pool and new rules like RTM in play, 2026 is shaping up to be a thrilling year for cricket fans.
