The upcoming edition of The Hundred is set to have a significant Indian flavor, with seventeen players from the subcontinent officially entering the draft. This year’s tournament carries extra weight as it marks the first season following major Indian investment, with several franchises now under the ownership of IPL-based groups.
While many stars are heading to the auction block, top-order batters Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues have already bypassed the draft, having been pre-signed by Manchester Super Giants and Southern Brave, respectively.
Key Indian Players in the Auction
The auction, scheduled for March 11 and 12, features a mix of World Cup winners and rising domestic talents.
- Top Bracket (£50,000): Explosive wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh has placed herself in the highest reserve price category.
- High Value (£37,500): Pratika Rawal enters in the second-highest bracket following her impressive domestic run.
- Mid-Range (£27,500): All-rounder Deepti Sharma headlines this bracket, bringing her extensive experience with London Spirit to the table.
- The Uncapped Trio (£15,000): Nandani Sharma, Deeya Yadav, and Vrinda Dinesh have registered at the base price, looking for their first major international franchise break.
Other Notable Registrations
The list of seventeen includes several pillars of the Indian national team:
- Bowlers: Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, and Radha Yadav.
- All-rounders/Batters: Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Kashvee Gautam, and Sajeevan Sajana.
A New Era of Ownership
The 2026 season marks a structural shift in the competition. Four of the eight teams are now owned by entities with existing IPL ties, which is expected to influence player recruitment and global viewership:
- MI London (Mumbai Indians)
- Sunrisers Leeds (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
- Southern Brave (GMR Group/Delhi Capitals)
- Manchester Super Giants (Lucknow Super Giants)
In addition to the Indian contingent, the auction pool also features prominent Pakistani internationals, including Fatima Sana and Muneeba Ali, signaling a highly diverse and competitive draft.
