The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction electrified fans with its mix of glamour buys and hidden gems, but the true victors were franchises who mastered the art of value. These top five steals, blend global stars with experience, energy, dynamics and skills. Their stats, tight economies, high strike rates, wicket hauls promise to fuel title winning changes in the upcoming season.
1) Sophie Ecclestone to UP Warriorz – ₹85 Lakhs
At 26, England’s Sophie Ecclestone headlines UP Warriorz’s steal at just ₹85 lakhs. This slow left-arm orthodox maestro has terrorized in 101 T20Is, taking as many as 142 wickets at a miserly 5.96 economy with a best of 4/18. Her WPL mastery across 25 matches, 36 wickets at 6.68 economy, capped by a devastating 4/13. Ecclestone’s flighted temptations and sharp turn make her a middle overs threat, pairing ideally with Deepti Sharma for UP Warriorz. She will continue to be the X factor for the team.
2) Laura Wolvaardt to Delhi Capitals – ₹1.10 Crore
South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, 26-year-old opening batter, will anchor Delhi Capitals. In 85 T20Is so far, she has racked up 2,225 runs at 117.97 strike rate, including 2 centuries and 12 fifties while across 13 WPL games she has yielded 342 runs at the strike rate of 125.73. Wolvaardt’s pristine technique converts starts into anchors or fireworks, thriving on turning tracks. For DC rebuilding post Lanning, she will bring stability and play match winning knocks.
3) Kranti Gaud to UP Warriorz – ₹50 Lakhs
Rising 22-year-old Kranti Goud returns to UP Warriorz again this season for just ₹50 lakhs. In 4 T20Is, she has grabbed 2 wickets at 7.00 economy; WPL elevated her in 8 matches, where she took 6 wickets with best spell of 4/25 dismantling lineups. Her raw pace, seam swing, and yorker precision hint at starring breakthroughs. Warriorz got a youngster to shape that will give them long term benefits.
4) Nadine de Klerk to Royal Challengers Bengaluru – ₹65 Lakhs
25-year-old Nadine de Klerk joins RCB at ₹65 lakhs. This South African all-rounder tallies 667 T20I runs at a strike rate of 106.89, along with 52 wickets at economy of 7 across 70 T20Is. Her ODI World Cup finishing fireworks still vivid, 208 runs from 7 innings, at a strike rate of 131.64. Batting muscle meets medium pace control, plugging RCB’s middle order voids. Versatility in her game will give match winning performances for RCB in WPL 2026.
5) Renuka Singh to Gujarat Giants – ₹60 Lakhs
Seasoned Renuka Singh Thakur, the experienced right-arm medium fast bowler swings into Gujarat Giants for ₹60 lakhs. Across 56 T20Is she stole 62 wickets at 6.40 economy with best bowling figures of 5/15. In the WPL in 23 matches she has taken 13 wickets with a best spell of 3/23. Powerplay inswing and death cutters make her indispensable Giants gain a reliable spearhead for variable pitches.
As WPL 2026 dawns, they’ll rewrite expectations, providing smart bids to build legacy. WPL starts on 9 January 2026 with Mumbai Indians facing Royal Challengers. As the seasons unfold great moments will be unlocked.
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