WPL 2027: Lizelle Lee out for personal reasons, Kamalini released for U19 World Cup
Synopsis
Lizelle Lee's personal unavailability and G. Kamalini's likely U19 World Cup call-up are reshaping WPL 2027 squads before the auction even begins. With India entering the U19 showpiece as defending champions, the schedule clash could pull more young talent away from the league — a tension between domestic franchise cricket and international age-group commitments that will only intensify.
Key Takeaways
Lizelle Lee has been released by Delhi Capitals for WPL 2027 due to personal reasons, having scored 320 runs at a strike rate of 139.13 in WPL 2026.
Delhi Capitals also released Alana King , Sneh Rana , Taniyaa Bhatia , Pragati Singh , and Srujana Eddla .
Mumbai Indians released G.
Kamalini due to an expected schedule overlap between WPL 2027 and the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup in Nepal and Bangladesh .
Kamalini was part of India's 2025 U19 World Cup -winning squad and also featured in the senior team's Asia Cup and Asian Games gold-medal campaigns.
WPL 2027 runs from 14 January to 7 February 2027 ; the player auction is on 28 October in Kochi with 27 slots available.
UP Warriorz hold the largest auction purse at ₹3.65 crore .
Delhi Capitals have released South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Lizelle Lee ahead of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 season after she communicated her unavailability due to personal reasons. The release was confirmed on the retention deadline day, Monday, 28 September, making Lee one of six players let go by the franchise.
Lizelle Lee's Departure and DC's Full Release List
Lee had a productive debut WPL campaign in 2026, scoring 320 runs for Delhi Capitals at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 139.13, while also taking six catches behind the stumps. Despite that performance, her unavailability for the full duration of WPL 2027 made retention unfeasible.
'Lizelle Lee is not available for WPL 2027 duration due to personal reasons and she had communicated it beforehand,' a WPL source confirmed on Monday.
Alongside Lee, Delhi Capitals have also released Australia leg-spinner Alana King, India off-spin bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana, wicketkeeper-batter Taniyaa Bhatia, and uncapped duo Pragati Singh and Srujana Eddla. Notably, Pragati and Srujana had joined DC late in WPL 2026 as injury replacements for Deeya Yadav and Mamatha Madiwala.
Why Mumbai Indians Released Kamalini
The more eyebrow-raising release came from two-time champions Mumbai Indians, who let go of young wicketkeeper-batter G. Kamalini. The decision, however, has a clear rationale — a likely schedule clash between WPL 2027 and the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup, to be held in Nepal and Bangladesh in early 2027.
'Mumbai Indians have confirmed that G. Kamalini was released from the squad due to her likely being a part of India's U19 squad for the upcoming World Cup. The tournament timeline is expected to overlap with WPL 2027, thus making her unavailable for the season,' the WPL source said.
Kamalini is a prominent figure in India's age-group circuit. She was part of the squad that won the 2025 ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup and has since graduated to senior recognition, featuring in India's Asia Cup triumph in Dubai and the gold-medal winning campaign at the Asian Games in Japan. India enter the next U19 World Cup as defending champions.
Separately, the availability of Deeya Yadav for WPL 2027 is also reportedly in doubt if she earns a place in the U19 World Cup squad.
WPL 2027 Schedule and Auction Details
The fifth edition of the WPL is scheduled to run from 14 January to 7 February 2027, though venues are yet to be announced. The player auction for the season will be held on 28 October in Kochi. Across all five franchises, a total of 27 slots — including seven overseas slots — remain open heading into the auction. UP Warriorz will carry the largest available purse, entering the auction with a maximum of ₹3.65 crore.
With marquee names entering the auction pool and the U19 World Cup potentially pulling key Indian youngsters away, franchises will need to plan carefully before the 28 October bidding day in Kochi.
Point of View
The scheduling conflict will recur. The league's long-term credibility depends on retaining its best young Indian talent; losing them to overlapping global events, even prestigious ones, undermines the product. The Deeya Yadav uncertainty adds to this pattern, suggesting this is not a one-off but a systemic gap that franchise planning cannot paper over.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lizelle Lee released by Delhi Capitals for WPL 2027?
Lizelle Lee was released because she communicated her unavailability for the full duration of WPL 2027 due to personal reasons. Delhi Capitals confirmed the release on the retention deadline day, 28 September.
Why did Mumbai Indians release G. Kamalini ahead of WPL 2027?
Mumbai Indians released G. Kamalini because her inclusion in India's squad for the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup — scheduled in Nepal and Bangladesh in early 2027 — is expected to overlap with the WPL 2027 window, making her unavailable for the season.
When is the WPL 2027 player auction and where will it be held?
The WPL 2027 player auction is scheduled for 28 October in Kochi. A total of 27 slots, including seven overseas slots, are available across all franchises heading into the auction.
When does WPL 2027 start and end?
WPL 2027 is scheduled to run from 14 January to 7 February 2027. Venues for the fifth edition of the league are yet to be announced.
Which other players did Delhi Capitals release ahead of WPL 2027?
Apart from Lizelle Lee, Delhi Capitals released Australia leg-spinner Alana King, India all-rounder Sneh Rana, wicketkeeper-batter Taniyaa Bhatia, and uncapped players Pragati Singh and Srujana Eddla — a total of six releases on the retention deadline day.
