WPL 2026 Auction Shockers: Record-Breaking Bids, Star Power Trades & Complete Team Rosters Revealed

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season has burst into life in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, delivering record totals, nerve-shredding finishes and a constellation of global stars hungry for the trophy. Gujarat Giants set the tone with 200-plus Captain Ashleigh Gardner’s 65 off 38 balls and Georgia Wareham’s 10-ball 27 powered Gujarat Giants to a towering 207/4 against UP Warriorz at DY Patil Stadium, the highest first-innings score of the young campaign. Litchfield’s lone stand not enough UP Warriorz opener Phoebe Litchfield replied with a scintillating 78, but Gujarat’s new-look attack—led by left-arm pacer Tumi Seku—held their nerve to seal a ten-run win and pocket early table points. RCB strike first against reigning champs A day earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru stunned defending champions Mumbai Indians. South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk grabbed a wicket-taking three-over burst and a brisk 29* to steal the season opener for RCB, underlining the franchise’s off-season overhaul. Tonight’s blockbuster: MI vs DC Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai must rebound quickly as they face Jemimah Rodrigues’ Delhi Capitals in a primetime clash under the DY Patil lights. Both camps boast explosive top orders, and with par score already nudging 180, bowlers could be in for another tough evening. Players to watch this week • Grace Harris (UPW) – the Australian basher loves chasing monster targets. • Saika Ishaque (MI) – left-arm spin could be crucial on a used Navi Mumbai strip. • Shafali Verma (DC) – power-play trendsetter, averages 9.2 run-rate in India. • Smriti Mandhana (RCB) – already looks comfortable in her new middle-order slot. Schedule & viewing information The league runs 9 January–5 February across DY Patil Stadium (Navi Mumbai) and Reliance Stadium (Vadodara). Matches stream free on JioCinema in India and are carried worldwide via ICC.tv and local broadcasters; check territory listings on the official WPL site. Early takeaway Big scores, packed stands and headline performances suggest WPL 2026 is on track to eclipse last year’s viewership records and cement the competition’s status as the must-watch T20 carnival of the women’s game.