Small purse, big decisions: WPL auction blueprint for MI-W ahead of 2026 season

Soumyajit Dutta

Strategies for MI-W ahead of WPL 2026 auction [Source: @wplt20/X]Strategies for MI-W ahead of WPL 2026 auction [Source: @wplt20/X]

The WPL auction 2026 is knocking at the door, and the Mumbai Indians Women have a lot to do ahead of the big purchase day. The Indiawin-owned team currently retains five players with a remaining purse of 5.75 cr to fill the remaining slots and form the core of their lineup.

Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, and G. Kamalini have been retained by Mumbai Indians Women ahead of the auction. 

With 10 more players required to be retained, up to a maximum of 18 in the squad, Mumbai might have to own up to 'moneyball' strategies to get in the most valuable purchases while having the second-lowest purse in the auction after Delhi Capitals Women.

1) A limited purse calls for targeted buys

MI-Women will be keen on acquiring names that aren't too big for starters. With a small purse value, though MI would like to reserve the services of players like Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, or Danni Wyatt-Hodge, it should be understood that the bidding wars might stretch out too long for these names.

Hence, a role-specific buy with well-scouted Indian uncapped talent could work best for the defending champions of the title. Of course, after filling out the all-rounder quota and at least three bowlers (having at least one overseas playerry), if their purse permits, MI-W might move on to bid for the star players.

2) Find a backup wicketkeeper batter

G. Kamalini has been retained for the WPL 2026, and all MI needs is a wicket-keeper batter for her backup. 

Yastika Bhatia has been marred with injuries in the last cycle, and hence, if MI-W doesn't show faith in her services, a better choice would be securing Uma Chetry. The 22-year-old has been part of the Women's World Cup and can be a prolific addition besides Kamalini.

Taniya Bhatia and Nandini Kashyap can be the other two good choices for MI-W if they want to keep a low profile for a budget-friendly wicketkeeping role acquisition.

3) Plug bowling gaps with overseas talent

With no specialist bowler in the squad yet, Mumbai would like to go for some heavy purchases here, eyeing overseas talent. Acquiring Shabnim Ismail won't be their best choice since she underperformed last season with only 9 wickets from 10 matches. 

MI-W might target Renuka Singh in the pace department, though it might trigger a bidding war with the player's former team, RCB-W.

Among overseas talent, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, and Alana King could be of significant interest for MI-W, who would like to build on the 'specialist' bowling front, unlike previous season.

Conclusion

Moreover, in the auction, Mumbai Indians Women's inclination would probably lean on the interest of acquiring more and more all-rounders and a solid top-order batting core. However, given their purse value, the franchise should opt for a strong, India-heavy squad supported by 2 overseas all-rounders, 1 overseas top-order batter, and 1 overseas bowler.