Who are the retained players for WPL 2026?
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Synopsis
Exciting shifts in the WPL landscape as top players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana secure their spots while others like Deepti Sharma and Alyssa Healy enter the auction pool. Discover the latest roster changes ahead of the 2026 mega auction!
Key Takeaways
- WPL franchises have made strategic player retention decisions.
- Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana remain key players for their teams.
- Major players like Deepti Sharma are available for auction.
- The mega auction is set for November 27 in New Delhi.
- Franchises will utilize the Right to Match card in the auction.
New Delhi, Nov 6 (NationPress) India's ODI World Cup-winning stars Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Verma are among the key players retained by the Women’s Premier League (WPL) franchises in anticipation of the 2026 mega auction.
During a live broadcast on Thursday, details of team retentions were revealed, showcasing a blend of up to three capped Indian players, two international players, and two uncapped Indian players.
Harmanpreet, alongside Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amanjot Kaur, and G Kamalini, have been confirmed as retained members of the Mumbai Indians. Conversely, players such as Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, and Yastika Bhatia have been released into the auction pool.
The Delhi Capitals have decided to keep Jemimah and Shafali, along with Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, and uncapped player Niki Prasad. This leads to the release of notable players like Meg Lanning, Radha Yadav, and N Sree Charani.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have retained four players: Smriti, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, and Richa Ghosh. However, players such as Sophie Molineux, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sneh Rana, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge have been released.
UP Warriorz opted for a fresh start, retaining only Shweta Sehrawat, the uncapped Indian batter who triumphed in the U19 World Cup in 2023. They have let go of Alyssa Healy, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, and Kranti Gaud.
On the other hand, Gujarat Giants have retained the Australian duo of Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney, while releasing players like Laura Wolvaardt, Harleen Deol, and Kashvee Gautam.
Both MI and DC have retained the maximum of five players allowed under WPL regulations. RCB has kept four, while GG and UPW have only retained two and one player, respectively. This also implies that only RCB, GG, and UPW will utilize the Right to Match card during the mega auction scheduled for November 27 in New Delhi.
Point of View
It is my duty to provide an unbiased perspective on significant events such as the WPL retentions. The strategic choices made by franchises reveal their vision for the future, and while some stars are retained, others face uncertainty. This dynamic environment will undoubtedly shape the league's upcoming season, and we remain committed to reporting on these developments with integrity.
NationPress
06/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Which players have been retained in WPL 2026?
Key players retained include Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Verma among others.
What does the retention process look like?
Franchises retain a mix of up to three capped Indian players, two overseas players, and two uncapped Indian players.
When is the WPL 2026 mega auction?
The WPL 2026 mega auction is scheduled for November 27 in New Delhi.
Which franchises retained the maximum players?
Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals retained the maximum of five players.
Who is entering the auction pool?
Players like Alyssa Healy, Deepti Sharma, and Sophie Ecclestone have been released into the auction pool.
