WPL 2025 Auction Explained: How to Watch, Key Details, and Star Players

by Madhan Vennapusa December 14, 2024

The WPL 2025 auction will start on Sunday, December 15, in Bengaluru. Five teams Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC), UP Warriors (UPW), and Gujarat Giants (GG)are eyeing 19 slots, with five overseas slots. RCB, the defending champions, are the only team without any overseas slots as they traded for England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge from the Warriors.

The Gujarat Giants, who were the worst-performing team in both seasons, have the biggest purse of ₹4.40 crore. They also have two overseas slots, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce and New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu, after they were released. The team has completely revamped its coaching structure. Bowling coach Pravin Tambe and batting coach Daniel Marsh are the new additions to the coaching staff. The side parted ways with Mithali Raj.

The Delhi Capitals, who finished as runners-up in both seasons, have the smallest purse of ₹2.50 crore. Mumbai Indians, the 2023 champions, released Issy Wong, who famously took a hat-trick in the inaugural season against the Warriorz. Wong has not registered for the auction. The Warriorz let go of England pacer Lauren Bell, who missed last season due to national duties. Bell enters the auction with a base price of ₹30 lakh.

Associate players available in the WPL 2025 auction include Scotland's wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce and UAE players Samaira Dharnidharka and Theertha Satish. The BCCI has increased the purse for this season from ₹13.5 crore to ₹15 crore, which will give teams a lot of flexibility in their bids. The venues for the next edition of WPL are yet to be finalized.

When will the WPL 2025 auction start?

The WPL 2025 auction will begin at 3 PM IST (9:30 AM GMT). It will take place after the second day's play of the India vs. Australia Men's Test match in Brisbane. The auction will be live on Sports18 and can be streamed on the Jio Cinema app.

How many players will be part of the WPL 2025 auction?

There will be a total of 120 players who will be auctioned during the WPL 2025 event. Among them, 91 are Indian players, while 29 are overseas players, including 3 from associate nations.

Who are the youngest and oldest players in the auction?

Ira Jadhav and Anshu Nagar, both 14 years old, are the youngest players in the auction. Heather Knight and Laura Harris, aged 34, are the oldest players on the list.

WPL 2025 Retained Players

Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

Smriti Mandhana (Captain), Ellyse Perry, Renuka Singh, Kanika Ahuja, Kate Cross, Sophie Devine, Asha Sobhana, Richa Ghosh, Sabbineni Meghana, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Traded from UP Warriorz), Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux, Shreyanka Patil, Ekta Bisht.

Mumbai Indians:

Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Jintimani Kalita, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, Shabnim Ismail, Amandeep Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, S Sajana.

Delhi Capitals:

Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Alice Capsey, Minnu Mani, Jess Jonassen, Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Titas Sadhu, Taniya Bhatia, Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp.

UP Warriorz:

Deepti Sharma, Alyssa Healy, Kiran Navgire, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Gouher Sultana, Saima Thakor, Poonam Khemnar, Vrinda Dinesh, Tahlia McGrath, Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Anjali Sarvani.

Gujarat Giants:

Laura Wolvaardt, Kashvee Gautam, Mannat Kashyap, Meghna Singh, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner, Sayali Sathgare, Dayalan Hemalatha, Priya Mishra, Shabnam Shakil, Beth Mooney, Tanuja Kanwar, Harleen Deol.

Remaining Purse and Slots for the WPL 2025 Auction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: ₹3.25 crore; Slots – 4 (Overseas – 0).
Mumbai Indians: ₹2.65 crore; Slots – 4 (Overseas – 1).
Delhi Capitals: ₹2.50 crore; Slots – 4 (Overseas – 1).
UP Warriorz: ₹3.90 crore; Slots – 3 (Overseas – 1).
Gujarat Giants: ₹4.40 crore; Slots – 4 (Overseas – 2).

Base Prices for Players

₹50 Lakhs: 3 players have registered.
₹30 Lakhs: 27 players have signed up.
₹20 Lakhs: Akshita Maheshwari from Rajasthan.
₹10 Lakhs: 89 players have opted for this category.

Associate Players in the Auction

Samaira Dharnidharka (UAE) – All-rounder.
Sarah Bryce (Scotland) – Wicketkeeper.
Theertha Satish (UAE) – Wicketkeeper.

Players in the ₹50 Lakh Price Bracket

Heather Knight (England) – Batter.
Deandra Dottin (West Indies) – All-rounder.
Lizelle Lee (South Africa) – Wicketkeeper.

Players in the ₹30 Lakh Price Bracket

Lauren Cheatle, Chinelle Henry, Lauren Bell, Sarah Glenn, Darcie Brown, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Nicola Carey, Shubha Satheesh, Paige Scholfield, Danielle Gibson, Poonam Yadav, Sophia Dunkley, Alana King, Heather Graham, Rosemary Mair, Nadine de Klerk, Lauren Filer, Mansi Joshi, Maia Bouchier, Madhuri Mehta, Orla Prendergast, Kim Garth, C Prathyusha, Sneh Rana, Sushma Verma, Tejal Hasabnis, Nuzhat Parween.