IPL 2026 auction tipped for December 15, India likely to host mega event

New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction is likely to take place on December 15 with India emerging as the frontrunner to host the event this time. According to a report by Times of India, the BCCI is keen to bring the auction back home after two years abroad. The 2023 edition was held in Dubai, followed by last year's event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. While the final decision on the venue is yet to be made, signs point towards a return to Indian soil for what is expected to be a mini auction.

Franchise activity is slowly beginning to pick up as the retention deadline draws near. All ten IPL teams must submit their final list of retained and released players by November 15. With just days left before that window closes, there is growing anticipation around potential trades and surprise exits, though things have been relatively quiet so far. Even the much-speculated move of Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals has not materialised.

While IPL preparations are gathering pace, the Women's Premier League (WPL) is also gearing up for its first-ever mega auction. The auction is scheduled for November 27 in Delhi and is set to mark a major step forward for the women's league which has established a strong following in just two seasons.

Unlike the IPL, where player movements have been limited this off-season, the WPL has seen several headline updates. India’s World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the Mumbai Indians while her deputy Smriti Mandhana has been retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Delhi Capitals have kept faith in Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma, both instrumental in India’s 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup triumph.

Though the biggest talking point ahead of the WPL auction is around India's stall allrounder Deepti Sharma. Despite being named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 World Cup for picking up 22 wickets in nine games and chipping in with three fifties, she has been released by the UP Warriorz. However, the franchise is expected to use the newly introduced Right-to-Match (RTM) card to bring her back.

This will be the first time the RTM option will be in play in a WPL auction. The Warriorz have retained only young batter Shweta Sehrawat so far while Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals have both maxed out their limit of five retained players each. Gujarat Giants have stuck with their Australian core of Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner while RCB continue with Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil.