The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the details Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction. With five franchises vying to strengthen their squads, the auction promises to be an exciting affair, bringing the best international and local talent under the hammer.
Increasing budgets for franchises
For the upcoming season, the BCCI has allocated an increased auction purse of ₹15 crore per franchise from ₹13.5 crore in 2024. This growth reflects the growing prestige of the league and the increased demand for top-level players.
Big names in the auction pool
A number of international stars are expected to be at the center of the bidding wars. Among them:
- Heather KnightEngland’s accomplished captain is known for his strategic brilliance.
- LanguageNew Zealand’s fiery rhythm has earned it a reputation among batting squads.
- Deandra DottinAn explosive West Indies all-rounder who can change games with both bat and ball.
On the domestic front, the Indian players have built up Sneh Rana and Farewell Krishnamurti will also be available, adding depth to the auction pool.
The wallet and strategy of franchises
Each team enters the auction with different purse sizes determined by pre-auction auctions and player releases.
- Capitals of Delhi: Capitals, led by Meg Lanning, retained the bulk of their squad, leaving them with the smallest purse of ₹ 2.5 crore. Their strategy will likely focus on addressing specific gaps rather than making marquee acquisitions.
- Giants of Gujarat: After finishing last season at the bottom of the table, the Giants released seven players, giving them the biggest purse of ₹ 4.4 crore. They aim to rebuild and improve their fortunes in WPL 2025.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): The defending champions have released seven players and have ₹ 3.25 crore to spend. In the pre-season trade window, they bolstered their top-order batting by signing England’s Danielle Wyatt-Hodge from UP Warriors on a full-fee deal.
Also READ: West Indies announce squad for tour of India; Stafani Taylor is out, Deandra Dottin is back in ODIs
Player retention and auction date for WPL 2025
A total of 71 players, including 25 overseas stars, have been retained across the five franchises, ensuring the core squads remain intact. This stability provides a solid foundation for teams during the auction.
The bidding event, scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on December 15, will play an important role in shaping team rosters and strategies for the upcoming season as franchises try to strike a balance between experience and new talent.
ALSO READ: WPL 2025 Retention – Complete list of retained and released players ahead of auction
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
