The Women’s Premier League (WPL) retentions have been announced, revealing strategic decisions made by all five franchises leading up to the upcoming mega auction for the 2026 season. Notable names were retained, and some unexpected moves were made, particularly by UP Warriorz, surprising observers.
Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals stood out as the only teams utilizing their full retention quota by keeping five players each, including an uncapped talent. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the Season 2 champions, opted to retain key players like Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, and Shreyanka Patil.
In the retention process, Mumbai Indians secured India’s World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur as their second retention after England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Gujarat Giants retained two overseas players, Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney. UP Warriorz made a bold move by retaining the uncapped Shweta Sehrawat and parting ways with established players like Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone.
Each franchise’s list of retained and released players is as follows:
– **Mumbai Indians**
– **Retained players:** Nat-Sciver Brunt (Rs. 3.5 Cr), Harmanpreet Kaur (Rs. 2.5 Cr), Hayley Matthews (Rs. 1.75 Cr), Amanjot Kaur (INR 1 Cr), G Kamalini (Rs. 50 lakh).
– **Released players:** Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Akshita Maheshwari, Amandeep Kaur, Jintimani Kalita, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Sajeevan Sanjana, Sanskriti Gupta, Yastika Bhatia, Parunika Sisodia, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail.
– **Delhi Capitals**
– **Retained players:** Jemimah Rodrigues (Rs. 2.2 Cr), Shafali Verma (Rs. 2.2 Cr), Annabel Sutherland (Rs. 2.2 Cr), Marizanne Kapp (Rs. 2.2 Cr), Niki Prasad (Rs. 50 lakh).
– **Released players:** Meg Lanning, Sneha Deepthi, Alice Capsey, Arundhati Reddy, Jess Jonassen, Minnu Mani, N Charani, Shikha Pandey, Nandini Kashyap, Sarah Bryce, Taniyaa Bhatia, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu.
– **Gujarat Giants**
– **Retained players:** Ashleigh Gardner (Rs. 3.5 Cr), Beth Mooney (Rs. 2.5 Cr).
– **Released players:** Bharti Fulmali, Laura Wolvaardt, Phoebe Litchfield, Simran Shaikh, Danielle Gibson, Dayalan Hemalatha, Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Sayali Satghare, Tanuja Kanwer, Kashvee Gautham, Mannat Kashyap, Meghna Singh, Prakashika Naik, Priya Mishra, Shabnam Shakil.
– **Royal Challengers Bengaluru**
– **Retained players:** Smriti Mandhana (Rs. 3.5 Cr), Richa Ghosh (Rs. 2.75 Cr), Ellyse Perry (Rs. 2 Cr), Shreyanka Patil (Rs. 60 lakh).
– **Released players:** Danni Wyatt, Sabbineni Meghana, Charlie Dean, Georgia Wareham, Heather Graham, Joshitha V J, Kanika Ahuja, Kim Garth, Prema Rawat, Raghvi Bist, Sneh Rana, Nuzhat Parween, Ekta Bisht, Jagravi Pawar, Renuka Singh.
– **UP Warriorz**
– **Retained players:** Shweta Sehrawat (Rs. 50 Lakh).
– **Released players:** Arushi Goel, Georgia Voll, Kiran Navgire, Vrinda Dinesh, Chinelle Henry, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris, Kranti Gaud, Poonam Khemnar, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia Mcgrath, Uma Chetry, Alana King, Anjali Sarvani, Gouher Sultana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor.
Remaining purse amounts and Right-to-Match (RTM) options for each franchise are as follows:
– Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 6.15 Cr (1 RTM)
– Mumbai Indians –