WPL 2026: Since the WPL 2026 mega auction is just around the corner, there is one player who will start a bidding war among many teams, and that is none other than Meg Lanning.
Meg might not be playing in international cricket anymore, but her importance in franchise cricket has only increased.
In a surprising move, Lanning was let go by the Delhi Capitals despite her guiding them to three consecutive finals.
She had also won the Orange Cap in the first season of the WPL as she had scored 345 runs after playing in nine matches while maintaining her calm demeanour.
Now that all the teams will be rebuilt from scratch in the mega auction, three teams might start a bidding war for her.
UP Warriorz – A team desperate for a central leader
This franchise has always been in the competitive yet threatening zone. They had retained just one player- Shweta Sehrawat this time, and that means that they have a huge purse at the auction.
They did have match-winners and match-winners; they have had fights, but they have lacked a stable batting order that can dictate the tempo of a season.
Their top-order batters have always struggled. Their openers have failed to give their teams the much-needed starts, and their middle order has been left repairing the damage.
Meg Lanning, whose batting average in the shortest format is in the 30s and her ability to bat deep, can solve that problem.
At the same time, UP needs a captain who can form a new team. Lanning has led DC-W to three WPL finals and has proved that she can inspire youngsters around her. For a team who are looking for identity and consistency, she is the perfect fit.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – The dream of a Mandhana-Lanning duo
The WPL 2024 champions are dependent on Mandhana too. When she performs, they have been unstoppable, but when she doesn’t, they become inconsistent.
And if Mandhana and Lanning open together, then it will be a left-right combination. India’s star opener opening together with Australia’s greatest skipper will be a sight to behold.
Lanning does have the ability to score quick runs, and that will give Mandhana the freedom to bat aggressively from the first ball. In her franchise career, she has batted at a strike rate of 120. The team also needs another veteran player as a captain.
If Smriti continues to lead the team, then having Lanning around will be like adding another player, as someone who has won and survived some of the toughest moments in this sport.
For a team that depends on star power, Meg Lanning is a perfect fit.
Gujarat Giants – A franchise that needs a rebuild more than anyone
If there’s one team that should go all-in for Lanning, it’s the Gujarat Giants. They’ve struggled the most across seasons with inconsistency in selection, frequent leadership changes, and a batting order that rarely settled.
Their top order has often collapsed under pressure, leaving the middle order to salvage innings. Meg Lanning gives them stability straight away.
She brings runs, clarity, and standards. Her WPL numbers, nearly 350 runs in the first season alone, show she doesn’t need time to adapt to subcontinental surfaces.
The Giants also have one of the biggest purse pools heading into mega auctions historically, meaning they can afford a marquee bid.
Most importantly, Gujarat needs a face of the franchise, someone to spark both cricketing and cultural turnaround. Hence, Meg Lanning is the perfect fit.