WPL 2026 Guide: Schedule, Odds & Deepti Sharma’s Record Bid

🏏 WPL 2026: The Rise of the New Era – Teams, Trades, and the Road to Glory

G’day, cricket fans. If you thought the first few seasons of the Women’s Premier League were just a curtain-raiser, think again. WPL 2026 has officially arrived, and it is no longer the "little sister" of the IPL. It is a powerhouse in its own right, a multi-million dollar spectacle that has fundamentally changed the landscape of women’s sports globally.

At GambleGrounds.com, we’ve been tracking the data the ICC to bring you the most human, in-depth look at the 2026 season. From record-shattering auction bids to the tactical evolution of the "Powerplay Punch," here is everything you need to know about the upcoming WPL season.

1. 📅 The Calendar: February 12 – March 8, 2026

The BCCI has carved out a dedicated February-March window for the WPL, ensuring it doesn't overlap with the Men’s IPL. This allows the world’s best international talent—from the superstars of Australia to the flair of the West Indies—to commit fully to the tournament.

The Multi-City Caravan

For the 2026 season, the tournament is moving beyond the Mumbai-Bengaluru bubble. Matches are scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Mumbai, with the grand final slated for the Narendra Modi Stadium.

• The Atmosphere: Expecting crowds of 40,000+ for the playoffs. The commercial growth here is staggering, with sponsorship valuations up by nearly 40% compared to the inaugural season.

2. 💰 The Auction Fireworks: Smriti, Perry, and the New Millionaires

The 2026 mini-auction held in December was a masterclass in strategic spending. While the core squads remained stable, the "overseas" slot battles were intense.

The Marquee Bids

• The Record Breaker: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) retained their core but made a massive splash by securing South African pace sensation Marizanne Kapp for a record-equaling fee.

• The Emerging Talent: The story of the auction was the interest in Associate Nation players. Players from Scotland and the UAE saw bidding wars, proving that the WPL is truly the global scouting ground for women's cricket.

3. ⚖️ The Favorites: Can Anyone Stop the Mumbai Indians?

As we head into the season, the "Big Three" continue to dominate the betting markets on GambleGrounds.com.

Team	Key Strength	Current Odds
Mumbai Indians (MI)	Versatility & Leadership (Harmanpreet Kaur)	3.50 (+250)
Delhi Capitals (DC)	Opening Power (Meg Lanning/Shafali Verma)	4.00 (+300)
Royal Challengers Bangalore	All-round Balance & Fan Support	5.50 (+450)
UP Warriorz	Spin Dominance on slow tracks	7.50 (+650)
Gujarat Giants	Revamped middle-order and pace	9.00 (+800)

The Tactical Shift: The "Death Overs" Game

According to GambleGrounds analytics, the average first-innings score in the WPL has climbed from 155 to nearly 172. Teams are no longer "playing it safe" in the middle overs. The introduction of the Impact Player rule (similar to the men's game) has allowed teams to bat deeper, leading to more aggressive finishes.

4. 🎰 Punter’s Insight: The "Home Advantage" and the Toss

If you’re looking at the markets, pay close attention to the venues.

• Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium): Traditionally a batter’s paradise with short boundaries. Look for "Total Sixes" markets here.

• Ahmedabad: The sheer size of the outfields makes "Twos and Threes" vital. Accurate running between the wickets is more important than raw power.

• The Toss: In evening games, the dew factor in Mumbai remains a nightmare for bowlers. Chasing is statistically favored by nearly 60% in night matches at the Brabourne or DY Patil.

🛡️ The GambleGrounds Final Word

WPL 2026 is the year the league matures into a global titan. With higher stakes, faster bowling, and a fanbase that is growing by the millions, it’s a golden era for the sport.

Whether you’re backing the clinical Mumbai Indians or hoping for an underdog story from the Gujarat Giants, the 2026 season is set to be a thriller.