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Deandra Dottin and...? 5 most explosive boom-or-bust picks for Women's Premier League 2026

Soumyajit Dutta

Deandra Dottin [Source: @wplt20/X]Deandra Dottin [Source: @wplt20/X]

The Women’s Premier League Auction 2026 is poised to become one of the most unpredictable events in the tournament's history as several marquee players are available in the pool after being released by their franchises. 

While the focus will be on high bid takers, the real intrigue lies in high-risk, high-reward categories - players who can dramatically alter a franchise's fate for the good if they click, or can slip below expectations.

With the mega event not so far, here’s a detailed look at five players who sit firmly in the “high risk, high reward” bracket ahead of auction day.

1) Deandra Dottin

Deandra Dottin, the powerhouse all-rounder who has been released by the Gujarat Giants ahead of the WPL 2026 auction, can be one of the pivots for any franchise that picks her up. She is going to ignite a bidding war on the table without a doubt, but she comes with her pros and cons.

Deandra Dottin is often marred by her inconsistent availability for league games and has also recorded long absences from major leagues as well as national duties.

However, she is one of the most destructive hitters and a lethal seam bowler - a combo that franchises can't afford to lose. 

Bottom Line: Dottin, who can range between ₹40 lakh – ₹1.2 crore in the auction, has a major inclination to be a bargain buy rather than a bust one. 

  • Bargain chance - 70%
  • Bust risk - 30%

2) Chamari Athapaththu

Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who was released by UP Warriorz Women ahead of the auction, is a T20 globe-trot GOAT who can win matches single-handedly. Her all-rounder skills can help pivot a game inside 6 overs; however, she comes with her cons.

Chamari is not very good with transitions. Her inconsistency in multi-format transition is visible and can affect the franchise after the Women's ODI World Cup. Her form also blows hot and cold with fewer high-reward opportunities because of her 'hit or miss' nature with the bat.

Bottom Line: RCB and MI can rope her in as a top-order clutch hitter, but her bargain vs bust chances are marginally close.

  • Bargain chance - 55%
  • Bust risk - 45%

3) Shabnim Ismail

Shabnim Ismail, the South African ace pacer, was out of form in the previous season of WPL, and MI released the player ahead of the auction. The cricketer who can be bid in the range of ₹50 lakh – ₹1.4 crore might seek attention from GG-W and UPW-W because of her new-ball authority and death over strikes.

However, given her poor recent run and workload management, Ismail is more likely to become a liability rather than an asset for the team in WPL 2026. 

Bottom Line: If Shabnim clicks in matches as an impact weapon, she can be a lethal match-winner, with chances of getting busted marginally higher.

  • Bargain chance - 45%
  • Bust risk - 55%

4) Harleen Deol

Harleen Deol, an India Women's star and GG-W asset, had a solid run in WPL 2024/25. However, her fluctuating returns mark the pain point. Deol's inconsistency is not the only drawback; even her role in the batting order is also temporary, with the 27-year-old often struggling to get a fixed spot in the Indian lineup. 

Nevertheless, Deol is a technically gifted batter and an elite fielder who can prove her worth if given the proper chance to explode at No. 3.

Deol would probably be priced at ₹30 lakh – ₹85 lakh in the WPL auction 2026 with RCB, DC and GG-W going after her to secure a top order stabiliser.

Bottom Line: Harleen Deol is a proven match-winner at times, hence, her chance of clicking at matches is higher.

  • Bargain chance - 75%
  • Bust risk - 25%

5) Alana King

Alana King, the Australian spin weaver, can be a high-risk, high-reward candidate in the WPL auction 2026, especially given her credentials for being a hot and cold form player.

King's performance predictability is uncertain. She was a match-winner for Australia in the Women's World Cup 2025 and was also in the list of the tournament's highest wicket-takers, but has scalped only 1 wicket in WBBL 2025/26 from her 6 matches.

Though Alana King might go up for a range of ₹75L – ₹1.25 Cr in the auction, she has a high risk of flooring with inconsistency.

Bottom Line: Though she will be an elite match-up against left-handers in the tournament, King's form is a cause for concern.

  • Bargain chance - 40%
  • Bust risk - 60%