Women’s Premier League is set to witness its first-ever mega auction on November 27 in New Delhi, marking a pivotal moment for all five franchises as they look to rebuild their squads for the 2026 season. Delhi Capitals, the only franchise to reach the final in all three WPL editions yet to lift the trophy, have retained five players including Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland and Niki Prasad, leaving them with a purse of Rs 5.70 crore and no Right-to-Match cards available. The franchise made the bold decision to release captain Meg Lanning along with 12 other players, signalling their intent to restructure the squad and finally break their runners-up jinx.
Five players Delhi Capitals can target at WPL 2026 Mega Auction
- Deepti Sharma
2025 Women’s ODI World Cup Player of the Tournament would be the perfect acquisition for Delhi Capitals. Released by UP Warriorz in a surprising move, Deepti Sharma became the first player in World Cup history to score over 200 runs and claim more than 20 wickets in a single edition, finishing with 215 runs and 22 wickets including a match-winning five-wicket haul in the final. In the WPL, she has been exceptional with 507 runs at a strike rate of 117.63 and 27 wickets across 25 matches for UP Warriorz.
Her off-spin bowling provides control in the middle overs while her lower-order batting adds crucial depth. As a capped Indian player who can also lead the side if needed, Deepti would fill multiple roles for Delhi Capitals, offering the all-round capability that defines championship-winning teams.
- Meg Lanning
Despite releasing her ahead of retentions, Delhi Capitals could strategically target their former captain at the auction for a potentially lower price. Lanning led DC to three consecutive finals with remarkable consistency, scoring 952 runs across three WPL seasons at an average of 39.66 and a strike rate of 127.10, including nine half-centuries.
She won the Orange Cap in the inaugural 2023 season with 345 runs and remains the third-highest run-scorer in WPL history. Her recent form in the WBBL 2025, where she scored back-to-back half-centuries, demonstrates she remains at the peak of her powers. Lanning’s unmatched leadership credentials and ability to anchor innings while accelerating when needed make her an ideal candidate to guide Delhi Capitals to their maiden title.
- Laura Wolvaardt
The South African captain emerged as one of the standout performers at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, scoring a tournament-record 571 runs with two centuries in the semifinal and final and three fifties. Wolvaardt has already proven her worth in the WPL, scoring 310 runs in just 10 games for Gujarat Giants at a strike rate of 134.19.
Her ability to build innings and accelerate makes her a perfect fit for Delhi Capitals’ top order alongside Shafali. With an ODI average of 50.70 and over 5,200 runs in the format, Wolvaardt brings world-class experience and consistency. Her recent World Cup performances, including a magnificent 169 against England in the semifinal, showcase her ability to deliver on the biggest stages.
- Alyssa Healy
Released by UP Warriorz, the legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter would provide Delhi Capitals with explosive firepower at the top of the order. Healy has accumulated over 3,500 ODI runs at a strike rate of 99.72 and more than 3,000 T20I runs at 129.79, demonstrating her ability to dominate bowling attacks across formats. Her recent knock of 142 against India and a stunning 113 against Bangladesh highlight her continued form.
As a wicketkeeper, she would offer both batting and keeping options, allowing tactical flexibility. Her experience of captaining Australia and winning multiple World Cups would bring invaluable leadership to the dressing room. With UP Warriorz holding RTM cards, Delhi Capitals would need to bid aggressively, but Healy’s match-winning capabilities justify the investment.
- Amelia Kerr
The New Zealand all-rounder, released by Mumbai Indians, would add vital spin bowling depth to Delhi Capitals’ attack. Amelia Kerr boasts impressive numbers with 79 ODI wickets at an average of 29.84 and 72 T20I wickets, complemented by valuable lower-order batting contributions. In the WPL, she has scored 437 runs at a strike rate of 119.40 while taking crucial wickets in the middle overs.
Her leg-spin provides a different dimension to Delhi Capitals’ predominantly pace-oriented attack. Kerr’s recent performances for New Zealand, where she was instrumental in their World Cup campaign, demonstrate her ability to perform under pressure. Her all-round skills make her a cost-effective option who can contribute across all three departments, fitting perfectly into Delhi Capitals’ budget constraints.
Delhi Capitals enter the mega auction with limited financial resources but clear gaps to fill across batting, bowling and leadership departments. These five players represent a blend of experienced match-winners and emerging stars who could provide the missing pieces in their quest for a maiden WPL title. With the auction scheduled for November 27 and the tournament expected to begin on January 7, 2026, the franchise’s selections will define whether they can finally convert their consistent final appearances into championship glory.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
