Litchfield represents not only current talent, but tremendous future potential. Her T20 credentials, including key performances for the Australian national team and a strong performance in the WBBL, confirm her status as a leading top specialist. While her debut WPL season with GG saw her batting role fluctuate, her ability to anchor an innings or quickly rotate a strike makes her an essential piece of a championship puzzle. With the largest ever auction pool of 277 players and only 73 available slots (including 23 for foreign stars), Litchfield’s unique profile guarantees that she will be one of the most hotly contested players, especially by the three franchises with the clearest need for her services.
3 teams that could go for Phoebe Litchfield in the WPL 2026 auction
1. UP Warriorz
The UP Warriorz (UPW) are entering the Mega Auction in full rebuild mode, keeping only one uncapped player. Shweta Sehrawat. This tactical decision leaves them with a war chest – the highest available purse of ₹14.5 crore – and six overseas slots to fill. This financial freedom allows UPW to dictate the market price for their primary targets, and Litchfield should be at the top of that list.
UPW has significant gaps to fill their overseas batting, especially after releasing players like Alyssa Healeywho occupied a crucial top position. Litchfield provides the perfect foundation for their new era: a high-quality, consistent foreign hitter who can open or bat at number three, providing stability and a platform for the middle order. Securing Litchfield would be a definitive statement of intent from Warriorz management, immediately creating a cornerstone with plenty of long-term potential around which they can build the remaining 17 players on their roster.
2. Gujarat Giants
The Gujarat Giants (GG) retained only two of their overseas stalwarts, captain Beth Mooney and all-rounder Ashleigh Gardnerindicating that they plan to reshape their squad. While Litchfield was released, GG still has three Right to Match (RTM) cards and a sizeable purse of ₹9.0 crore. This unique scenario positions them strongly to try to re-acquire the player they let go.
Litchfield’s output in her first season was modest, but she was often played out of position in the mid-range. GG management may see that Litchfield is the ideal long-term partner for Mooney at the top of the rankings, allowing Mooney to play her naturally aggressive game. If the bidding for Litchfield doesn’t immediately spiral out of control, GG can use one of their RTM cards to bring her back at a potentially favorable price, integrating her back into the draft in a role that maximizes her substantial talent. Her familiarity with the team structure also makes her a less risky choice than a brand new foreign recruit.
3. Capitals of Delhi
The Delhi Capitals (DC) face the challenging task of replacing the output and presence of their former captain and batsman. Meg Lanningwho retired. While DC retained a strong core, their overseas strength now relies heavily on pace all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland. The main gap now is a pure top-class overseas batsman to partner Shafali Verma.
DC’s purse of ₹5.7 crore is the lowest among all franchises, which means they have to execute their strategy with surgical precision. They can’t afford a bidding war, but Litchfield offers the best overseas option to fill Lanning’s role. She provides the necessary reliability in the first half of the innings and ensures that the retained Indian core of Jemima rodrigues And Shafali Verma has a solid base to attack. Targeting Litchfield is a strategic gamble on youth and consistency, allowing DC to maintain its formidable top-tier strength without spending too much on an older, specialist player.
READ also: WPL 2026: 3 franchises to target Amelia Kerr in the mega auction
This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
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