The Women’s Premier League Auction 2026 is going to be one of the most unpredictable events in the history of the tournament, as the pool of the released classic players contains a lot of them.
The high-bid players will have the spotlight on them, but the high-risk, high-reward player category – who can change the fate of a franchise for the better if they make it, or can fall below the expectations – will be the real appeal of the auction.
With the mega event approaching fast, here’s a comprehensive analysis of five players who are still in that “high risk, high reward” category before the auction day.
1) Deandra Dottin
Deandra Dottin, the powerful all-rounder who has been let go by the Gujarat Giants ahead of the WPL 2026 auction, can be the main actor for any team that chooses to acquire her. She is going to start a bidding war for sure, but she comes with some advantages and disadvantages.
Dottin is a player who is often overshadowed by her erratic availability for league matches and has even had long absences from major leagues and national duty.
Yet, she is still one of the most dangerous hitters and a venomous fast bowler – a combination no franchise would want to lose.
Bottom Line: Dottin, who can be anywhere between ₹40 lakhs – ₹1.2 crores with regards to the auction, is more likely to be a bargain buy than a bust.
2) Chamari Athapaththu
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu is a T20 globetrotter that can win matches all by herself. She was released by UP Warriorz Women before the auction, and her all-rounder abilities can change the game within 6 overs; yet, she comes with her downsides.
RCB and MI can sign her as a top-order clutch hitter, but the chances of her bargain vs bust are very close to each other.
3) Shabnim Ismail
Shabnim Ismail, the South African fast bowler, was not in good form during the last WPL season and MI dropped him just before the auction. The player who is expected to be sold for a price between ₹50 lakh – ₹1.4 crore might be taken by GG-W and UPW-W since her new-ball power and death over strikes are appealing.
But in view of her recent poor performance and difficult workload management, Ismail is more likely to be a liability than an asset for the team in WPL 2026.
If Shabnim performs in matches as an effectual weapon, she can be a terrific match-winner with chances of getting busted slightly higher.
4) Harleen Deol
Harleen Deol, the star of India Women and asset of GG-W, had a nice run in WPL 2024/25. But her variable returns highlight the downside. Deol’s inconsistency is not the sole issue; even her position in the batting order is unstable, with the 27-year-old frequently having difficulty securing a place in the Indian team.
Still, Deol is a technically skilled batter and an elite fielder who can prove her worth if provided a proper chance to explode at No. 3.
Deol would likely be in the price range of ₹30 lakh – ₹85 lakh during the WPL auction 2026 with RCB, DC, and GG-W competing for her to get a top order stabiliser.
Harleen Deol is sometimes a sure match-winner, so her chance of clicking in matches is higher.
5) Alana King
Alana King, the master spinner from Australia, can be a high-risk, high-reward item in the WPL auction 2026, particularly because of her reputation for being a form player who is often very hot or cold.
The predictability of King’s performance is not clear. She played a decisive role for Australia in the Women’s World Cup 2025 and was also among the top wicket-takers of the tournament but has only taken 1 wicket in WBBL 2025/26 after playing 6 matches.
It is possible that Alana King will be sold at a price of ₹75L to ₹1.25 Cr in the auction, but her fluctuating performance will come along as a high risk.
In the tournament, she will be a great match-up against left-handed batsmen, but King’s form is already a concern.
