As excitement builds for the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has a significant update: November 7 has been set as the retention deadline for all five participating franchises, according to reports from FemaleCricket. This extension gives Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Gujarat Giants until early November to submit their retention lists to the BCCI.
WPL 2025 Retention Extended to November 7
Initially, the retention deadline for all WPL teams was October 15, but it was extended to provide franchises more time to finalize their lists. Royal Challengers Bangalore are the defending champions, and each team is allowed a squad of 18 players, including six overseas slots. Following the retention submissions, the BCCI is set to conduct a mini-auction, although the exact date for this event is yet to be confirmed.
Budget Constraints and Major Updates for WPL 2025
In contrast to the IPL’s substantial auction budgets, the WPL auction purse stands at INR 15 crore for its third season, an increase from INR 12 crore in season one and INR 13.5 crore last season. This budget is considerably smaller than the IPL purse, yet WPL has seen rising interest and success across its first two seasons.
WPL’s New Scheduling and Future Expansion Plans
In a notable scheduling change, the WPL will shift its tournament window to January starting in 2026, allowing it a dedicated slot in the ICC’s Future Tour Program (FTP) for franchise leagues. This adjustment means the WBBL will begin in February 2026. The BCCI remains focused on growing the WPL brand and has plans to expand to additional teams in the future. For the upcoming season, however, the league will remain a five-team event.
With the viewership rising with each season, WPL 2025 is set to continue building on its successful first two editions, poised to captivate fans and expand the women’s game even further.