WPL Retention 2026: Star Players Released, Core Squads Retained Ahead of Mega Auction

The landscape of the Women's Premier League (WPL) is set for a significant shake-up as all five franchises officially released their retention lists on November 6, ahead of the WPL 2026 mega auction. This announcement has sent ripples through the cricketing world, with several high-profile players being surprisingly released, indicating a strategic shift for many teams looking to rebuild or re-evaluate their squads. The decisions made by the franchises highlight a blend of loyalty to core players and a bold. Willingness to let go of established stars in pursuit of fresh talent or a new team dynamic.

Shocking Releases and Strategic Shifts

One of the most talked-about decisions is the release of India's star all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who was notably a hero in the World Cup 2025. Her release by UP Warriorz signals a clear intent from the franchise to start anew. Joining her in the list of surprising releases are other international stalwarts such as. South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, Australian veteran captain Meg Lanning, and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy. These releases underscore the competitive nature of the WPL and the tough choices franchises must make to optimize their squad composition under retention rules, while the release of Meg Lanning, despite leading Delhi Capitals to three consecutive finals, is particularly noteworthy, suggesting a potential change in leadership or team strategy for the upcoming season.

Core Players Retained

While many big names were released, several key Indian and international players have been retained, reflecting their consistent performance and value to their respective teams. India's World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur, along with star batters Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues, have all been retained by their franchises. This demonstrates the teams' continued faith in these players to form the backbone of their squads for the WPL 2026 season, while their retention provides a sense of continuity and stability amidst the significant changes elsewhere in the league.

Mumbai Indians Maintain Their Core Strength

Mumbai Indians, known for their strong team compositions, have opted to retain five crucial players, aiming to preserve the essence of their successful unit. The retained players include Nat Sciver-Brunt, who commands a significant sum of ₹3. 5 crore, highlighting her immense value as an all-rounder. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, a pivotal leader, has been retained for ₹2. 5 crore. Other retentions include Hayley Matthews (₹1. 75 crore), Amanjot Kaur (₹1 crore), and G, while kamalini (₹50 lakh). Interestingly, Nat Sciver-Brunt's retention at a higher price than the captain herself speaks volumes about her impact on the team. However, Mumbai Indians also made tough calls, releasing players like Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, and Yastika Bhatia, indicating a desire to refresh certain aspects of their squad. UP Warriorz has made the boldest move by retaining only one player, signaling a complete overhaul, while the sole player retained is Shweta Sehrawat, an Under-19 World Cup winner, for ₹50 lakh. This decision to release all other major names, including Deepti Sharma, Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, and Kranti Gaud, clearly indicates the franchise's intention to build a new team from scratch during the mega auction. This strategy suggests a long-term vision, possibly focusing on youth and new talent to shape their future WPL campaigns.

UP Warriorz Opt for a Fresh Start

Gujarat Giants Prioritize Overseas Power

Gujarat Giants, adhering to the retention rules that permit only two foreign players, have strategically chosen to retain their Australian duo: Beth Mooney (₹2, while 5 crore) and Ashleigh Gardner (₹3. 5 crore). This decision means that South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, a prominent international player, was released, while the Giants' approach emphasizes securing proven international match-winners who can Importantly influence game outcomes, while relying on the auction to fill the remaining slots with a mix of domestic and other international talent.

Delhi Capitals Release Captain Meg Lanning

In a move that surprised many, Delhi Capitals decided to release their captain, Meg Lanning, despite her impressive record of leading the team to three consecutive WPL finals, while this decision opens up questions about the team's future leadership and strategy. The Capitals have, however, retained a strong contingent of five players: Jemimah Rodrigues (₹2, while 2 crore), Shafali Verma (₹2. 2 crore), Annabel Sutherland (₹2. 2 crore), Marizanne Kapp (₹2, while 2 crore), and Nikki Prasad (₹50 lakh). This core group of retained players suggests a focus on dynamic batting. And strong all-round capabilities, even as they look for a new leader.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Back Mandhana and Ghosh

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has placed its trust in key Indian talents, retaining four players for the upcoming season. Smriti Mandhana, a marquee player, has been retained for ₹3. 5 crore, while wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh secured a retention worth ₹2, while 75 crore. The team also held onto international all-rounder Ellyse Perry (₹2 crore) and promising talent Shreyanka Patil (₹60 lakh). This combination indicates RCB's commitment to a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging stars. However, the franchise also made some significant releases, including Sophie Molineux, Renuka Thakur, Sneh Rana, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, indicating a desire to reconfigure their bowling and all-rounder options. The WPL 2026 retention list has set the stage for an exciting mega auction, where franchises will vie for the released stars and new talent to build their championship-contending squads. The strategic decisions made by each team reflect their unique visions and aspirations for the upcoming seasons, promising a thrilling period of team building and competition.