Kolkata : WPL franchises have announced full list of retained and released players on November 6, 2025 ahead of WPL auction on November 27, 2025. Let’s take a look at all the retained and released players of respective franchises.
MUMBAI INDIANS –
Mumbai Indians (MI), the most successful team in Women’s Premier League (WPL) history, have confirmed their player retentions ahead of the WPL 2026 mega auction, keeping hold of their championship-winning core. The two-time WPL champions have opted to retain the full quota of five players, headlined by India’s World Cup-winning skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt – two of the league’s biggest stars. Sciver-Brunt, who has been one of the most consistent and impactful performers across all WPL seasons, continues her association with MI and will once again be the team’s highest-paid player at ₹3.5 crore, surpassing even her captain. Harmanpreet, who guided India to their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title recently, has agreed to a slightly reduced deal worth ₹2.5 crore, marking a significant 40% pay rise from her previous contract. The franchise has also retained West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews (₹1.75 crore), who has been a crucial contributor with both bat and ball since joining the side, and Amanjot Kaur (₹1 crore), one of the standout performers from India’s World Cup-winning campaign. Completing the list is uncapped player G. Kamalini, retained for ₹50 lakh, signalling MI’s intent to continue nurturing young domestic talent.
However, in a move that raised eyebrows, Mumbai released Amelia Kerr, a consistent performer since the league’s inception, along with veteran pacer Shabnim Ismail. Other players released include Akshita Maheshwari, Chloe Tryon, Jintimani Kalita, Nadine de Klerk, Parunika Sisodia, Saika Ishaque, S Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Keerthana Balakrishnan, and Yastika Bhatia.
After the retentions, MI will enter the upcoming WPL 2026 mega auction with a purse of ₹5.75 crore and no Right to Match (RTM) cards remaining. With a strong core led by Harmanpreet and Sciver-Brunt, and a blend of experience and youth, Mumbai Indians will look to rebuild smartly at the auction and aim for a record third WPL title when the new season gets underway.
Retained Players: Nat Sciver-Brunt (₹3.5 crore), Harmanpreet Kaur (₹2.5 crore), Hayley Matthews (₹1.75 crore), Amanjot Kaur (₹1 crore), G Kamalini (₹50 lakh).
Released Players: Akshita Maheshwari, Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Jintimani Kalita, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Nadine de Klerk, Parunika Sisodia, Saika Ishaque, S Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Yastika Bhatia
DELHI CAPITALS –
Delhi Capitals have confirmed their player retentions ahead of the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction, set to take place in the last week of November 2025.
The three-time finalists have opted to retain a solid core of key performers, ensuring a blend of consistency and experience as they aim to finally clinch their maiden WPL title.
The franchise has retained Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland, and Niki Prasad, all of whom have played pivotal roles in Delhi’s impressive runs over the last three seasons.
Notably, Jemimah and Shafali were instrumental in India’s recent World Cup triumph, showcasing the strength of Delhi’s Indian contingent. DC co-owner Parth Jindal expressed satisfaction with the retentions, emphasizing the balance and continuity within the squad.
Head coach Jonathan Batty acknowledged the tough decisions made during the retention process, adding that the focus now shifts to building around the existing nucleus.
Delhi Capitals will enter the WPL 2026 mega auction with ₹5.75 crore in their purse and 13 available slots, along with the option to use Right to Match (RTM) cards.
Retained Players: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland, Niki Prasad.
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.
UP WARRIORZ –
In a bold move ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction, the UP Warriorz have opted for a complete overhaul, retaining just one player from their previous squad.
The Lucknow-based franchise has decided to part ways with all its capped players, including Deepti Sharma, the Player of the Tournament from the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, along with Australian skipper Alyssa Healy and England’s premier spinner Sophie Ecclestone.
With just uncapped batter Shweta Sehrawat retained for ₹50 lakh, the Warriorz will enter the auction with the largest purse among all teams – ₹14.5 crore. The franchise also holds a significant strategic advantage, possessing four Right to Match (RTM) cards, which they can use on up to two Indian and two overseas players. This gives them a realistic opportunity to buy back some of their former stars if the bidding allows.
After finishing last in the 2025 season, the team’s management appears ready to hit the reset button under new head coach Abhishek Nayar, who is set to guide the franchise into a new era. While the Warriorz impressed in the inaugural edition by reaching the playoffs, their performances dipped sharply over the next two seasons, finishing second-last and last in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
The upcoming auction on November 27 in Delhi will be crucial for the franchise as they look to rebuild from scratch. With such a massive budget at their disposal, UP can target marquee players, strengthen their Indian core, and possibly bring in a new captain. The franchise also has the flexibility to re-sign Deepti Sharma or Alyssa Healy using their RTM options if needed.
The Warriorz’ decision to start afresh reflects a clear intent to redefine their identity and return stronger in the next cycle of the league.
Retained Players: Shweta Sehrawat (₹50 lakh)
Released Players: Deepti Sharma, Alana King, Anjali Sarvani, Arushi Goel, Chamari Athapaththu, Chinelle Henry, Gouher Sultana, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Kranti Goud, Poonam Khemnar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Uma Chetry, Vrinda Dinesh.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU –
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 2024 WPL champions, have finalized their player retentions ahead of the upcoming WPL 2026 mega auction, keeping faith in the proven performers who played key roles in their title-winning campaign.
The Bengaluru-based franchise has retained four players from their 2025 squad, including captain Smriti Mandhana, who led RCB to their maiden WPL title and continues to be the cornerstone of the team’s batting unit.
Mandhana, who also finished as India’s highest run-scorer in the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, remains RCB’s most expensive player, retained for ₹3.50 crore. Joining her on the list are veteran Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry (₹2 crore), wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh (₹2.75 crore), and Indian spinner Shreyanka Patil (₹60 lakh). Patil, who picked up 13 wickets in eight matches during WPL 2024, was the tournament’s top wicket-taker and one of RCB’s key match-winners.
They’ve spent ₹8.85 crore on retentions and will head into the WPL 2026 mega auction with a remaining purse of ₹6.15 crore. RCB will also have the option to use one Right to Match (RTM) card during the auction.
However, several prominent names have been released as the team looks to refresh its roster for the new cycle. Among the Indian players released are Sabbhineni Meghana, Renuka Singh, Sneh Rana, Kanika Ahuja, Asha Sobhana, and Ekta Bisht. The overseas players released include Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Kim Garth, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Charlie Dean, Heather Graham, Sophie Molineux, and Kate Cross.
With a solid retained core and a healthy purse, RCB will aim to rebuild around its championship-winning nucleus and push for another strong campaign in 2026.
Retained Players: Smriti Mandhana (₹3.50 crore), Ellyse Perry (₹2 crore), Richa Ghosh (₹2.75 crore), Shreyanka Patil (₹60 lakh)
Released Players: Sabbhineni Meghana, Nuzhat Parween, Kanika Ahuja, Raghvi Bist, Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, Ekta Bisht, VJ Joshitha, Jagravi Pawar, Prema Rawat, Renuka Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Charlie Dean, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Sophie Devine, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross.
GUJARAT GIANTS –
After another mixed campaign in the Women’s Premier League, the Gujarat Giants have opted for a major overhaul ahead of the 2026 season.
The Ahmedabad-based side has retained only two players – Australian all-rounder and captain Ashleigh Gardner and former skipper Beth Mooney – while releasing the rest of their squad in a bid to rebuild for the new season.
Despite showing improvement under Gardner’s leadership last season, when they reached the playoffs for the first time, the Giants were knocked out by eventual champions Mumbai Indians. The management has now decided to refresh the squad with several Indian and overseas options available in the upcoming auction.
Interestingly, the franchise has let go of South African star Laura Wolvaardt, who was in sensational form at the 2025 Women’s World Cup, scoring centuries in both the semi-final and the final. The move raised eyebrows among fans, considering Wolvaardt’s consistency with the bat. Promising Australian youngster Phoebe Litchfield has also been released as the team chose to retain only two overseas players.
The Giants will enter the auction with one of the largest purses – ₹9 crore – second only to UP Warriorz, who released all their capped players. This gives the Giants plenty of flexibility to rebuild a strong domestic core. They also hold three Right to Match (RTM) cards – two for capped and one for uncapped Indian players – which will be crucial for bringing back key local talents like Harleen Deol or Kashvee Gautam if needed.
Under Gardner’s captaincy, the team showed fighting spirit and improved balance in 2025, and it is likely she will continue to lead the side in 2026. With a substantial purse, strategic RTMs, and a clean slate, Gujarat Giants will be looking to finally establish themselves as serious title contenders in the upcoming WPL season.
Players Retained: Ashleigh Gardner (₹3.5 crore), Beth Mooney (₹2.5 crore)
Players Released: Bharti Fulmali, Danielle Gibson, Dayalan Hemalatha, Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, Laura Wolvaardt, Mannat Kashyap, Meghna Singh, Phoebe Litchfield, Prakashika Naik, Priya Mishra, Sayali Satghare, Shabnam Shakil, Simran Shaikh, Tanuja Kanwer.
