When the mega auction for WPL 2026 happens, one name will softly, but very powerfully, influence the bidding plans of many franchises: Meg Lanning.
The ex-captain of Australia may not be regularly playing international matches, but her importance in the franchise cricket has only increased. Surprisingly, Lanning was let go by the Delhi Capitals Women even after leading them to the finish in all three seasons.
She was the winner of the Orange Cap in the first season of the WPL, gathering 345 runs in 9 innings with her usual calmness at the top.
Now that the teams are being rebuilt in the WPL 2026 mega auction, there are three teams that are the most likely candidates among others for her signature
UP Warriorz – A team that is needing a central leader badly
The UP Warriorz Women have always been in the “competitive but not threatening” zone. This year, they have kept only one player, Shweta Sehrawat, which indicates that they would have a big amount to spend.
They’ve had players who could turn the game, they’ve had scuffles, but they’ve never had a main batting support and a calm leadership that could control the pace of the season.
That’s exactly where Meg UP’s biggest weakness has been: instability in their top order. Their openers have not been able to get going most of the times, and their middle order has been left with the task of mending the already done early damage.
Lanning who has a career T20 batting average around the mid-30s and can bat long, solves the problem instantly.
What’s more, UP needs a captain who will be able to mold a new team. Lanning has led DC-W to three WPL finals and has already shown a lot of young batters taking their skill up to her level. For a franchise that is looking for a personality and stability she is the perfect match.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – What if the dream of a Mandhana-Lanning duo finally comes true
RCB finally got their hands on some WPL 2024 success, but in many ways they’re still hostage to Smriti Mandhana’s moods. When she’s firing on all cylinders, the whole team is pretty much unstoppable – but when she gets out cheaply, the whole team starts to worry.
Imagine for a second Smriti Mandhana and Meg Lanning walking out to open the batting together – what a lovely thought.
A left-right combination, for starters. And then there’s the flair that Mandhana brings, combined with the precision of Lanning. Throw in the fact that you’re pairing up one of India’s best ever batsmen with one of Australia’s most respected captains.
What Lanning brings to the table is the ability to score quickly, without ever seeming to take any risks. And that gives Mandhana the freedom to go out there and attack from the word go. Throughout her career,
Meg Lanning has consistently averaged a strike rate of over 120 – and RCB are crying out for someone who can just steady the ship, you know? Even if Smriti Mandhana is going to stay on as captain, having Lanning around would be like having another head in the dugout – someone with a wealth of experience, who’s got the scars from all the tough cricket she’s played in.
For a team that thrives on individual brilliance but often struggles with calmness in a crisis, Meg Lanning is the perfect pick.
Gujarat Giants – A franchise that’s in desperate need of a rebuild
If there’s one team that really needs to go all in for Lanning, it’s the Gujarat Giants. They’ve been struggling more than anyone with this sort of inconsistency – constant changes in selection, leadership – and a batting order that never seems to settle down.
Their top order’s collapse time and again under pressure, leaving the middle order to try and pick up the pieces. But Meg Lanning would change all that. She brings a sense of stability, runs, clarity and standards.
And let’s be honest, her WPL numbers are pretty telling – nearly 350 runs in the first season alone. You don’t need time to get used to the sub-continent surfaces when you can just plug in and play. Plus, they’ve got one of the biggest purse pools going into the next auction – so they can afford to make a statement.
But more than anything, Gujarat need someone to stand up and be counted – a face of the franchise that can get them out of this rut, both on and off the pitch. And that’s Meg Lanning in a nutshell.
