WPL 2026 Retention List: Complete Players Retained by All Teams, Released Stars & Auction Details

WPL 2026 Retention:
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Retention phase has become one of the most anticipated events in women’s cricket. Since the league’s inception, the WPL has showcased world-class cricketing talent from India and across the globe. Now, as the WPL 2026 season approaches, fans are buzzing with excitement over the official WPL 2026 Retention List and the surprises it brings.

The WPL 2026 Retention period sets the tone for the upcoming mega auction, where teams will rebuild, trade, and strategize to find the perfect balance of experience and youth. This year’s retention window has seen both predictable moves and shocking decisions—some of the league’s biggest stars have been retained, while others have been unexpectedly released.

In this article, we dive deep into the complete WPL 2026 Retention List, analyze each team’s choices, and discuss how these decisions could shape the future of the Women’s Premier League 2026 season.

1. WPL 2026 Retention Rules and Highlights

Before diving into the team-wise WPL 2026 Retention List, it’s important to understand how the WPL 2026 Retention system was structured for the upcoming season. The Women’s Premier League 2026 Retention rules were designed to maintain competitive balance while allowing franchises to preserve their core players.

Each franchise in the WPL 2026 Retention window was allowed to keep a maximum of five players, following these specific guidelines:

• Up to 3 capped Indian players

• Up to 2 overseas players

• If retaining 5 players, at least 1 must be an uncapped Indian player

Every team entered the WPL 2026 auction with a ₹15 crore purse. However, the purse amount reduced based on player retentions, with the deduction structure as follows:

• 1st retention – ₹3.50 crore

• 2nd retention – ₹2.50 crore

• 3rd retention – ₹1.75 crore

• 4th retention – ₹1.00 crore

• 5th retention – ₹0.50 crore

So, if a franchise used all five WPL 2026 retentions, a total of ₹9.25 crore would be deducted, leaving ₹5.75 crore for the WPL 2026 auction.

This WPL 2026 Retention system encouraged teams to be more strategic — carefully balancing between retaining their core group of players and maintaining enough funds to compete in the high-stakes WPL 2026 mega auction.

2. Mumbai Indians (Women)

Retained Players:

• Harmanpreet Kaur (India) – Captain and batting powerhouse

• Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) – All-rounder extraordinaire

• Hayley Matthews (West Indies) – Versatile opener and key spinner

• Amanjot Kaur (India) – Reliable Indian middle-order bat

• G Kamalini (India, Uncapped) – Emerging young talent

Analysis:

Mumbai Indians were one of the most balanced teams in the previous WPL seasons, led by the ever-dependable Harmanpreet Kaur. Their decision to retain a strong overseas core — Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews — highlights their intent to maintain the same winning formula.

The inclusion of Amanjot Kaur and the young G Kamalini adds depth and ensures compliance with the retention rules.

Released Players:

• Yastika Bhatia

• Issy Wong

• Chloe Tryon

• Amelia Kerr

Letting go of Amelia Kerr was perhaps the biggest surprise, as she had been one of their most consistent performers. But with a mega auction on the horizon, Mumbai likely wants to rebuild certain departments while preserving their top performers.

3. Delhi Capitals (Women)

Retained Players:

• Jemimah Rodrigues (India)

• Shafali Verma (India)

• Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

• Annabel Sutherland (Australia)

• Niki Prasad (India, Uncapped)

Analysis:

Delhi Capitals, who have been dominant since the first edition, made a smart retention strategy that mixes youth and experience.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma continue to be the team’s Indian batting pillars, providing explosive starts and creativity in the middle order.

Their overseas duo of Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland gives them one of the most complete all-round combinations in the league. The young Niki Prasad, who impressed in domestic tournaments, rounds off a well-balanced retention group.

Released Players:

• Meg Lanning (Australia) – The biggest shock of the WPL 2026 retention cycle.

• Titas Sadhu, Jess Jonassen, Arundhati Reddy, Alice Capsey

The release of Meg Lanning is a major headline. The Australian legend and Delhi’s previous captain decided to take a break, and DC chose to revamp their leadership core, possibly handing the reins to Rodrigues or Kapp.

4. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Women)

Retained Players:

• Smriti Mandhana (India)

• Richa Ghosh (India)

• Ellyse Perry (Australia)

• Shreyanka Patil (India)

Analysis:

RCB stuck with a compact but powerful retention list. Smriti Mandhana, India’s T20 captain, continues to lead the side.

Richa Ghosh, with her wicket-keeping and finishing abilities, remains vital to the team’s plans. The veteran Ellyse Perry offers leadership and all-round quality, while Shreyanka Patil, one of India’s most promising young bowlers, retains her spot after stellar domestic performances.

Notably, RCB chose to retain only four players, giving them a larger auction purse to reshape the rest of their lineup.

Released Players:

• Renuka Thakur, Sophie Devine, Heather Knight, Disha Kasat, Meghna Singh

The release of Sophie Devine is interesting — despite her strong past performances, RCB may be looking for fresh overseas options. Their auction strategy will be crucial in filling the bowling and lower-order gaps.

5. Gujarat Giants (Women)

Retained Players:

• Beth Mooney (Australia) – Reliable captain and opening batter

• Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) – Star all-rounder

Analysis:

Gujarat Giants opted for a reset, retaining only two marquee Australian players.

Beth Mooney remains their backbone at the top, while Ashleigh Gardner’s match-winning abilities with both bat and ball make her indispensable. However, the rest of the squad will be overhauled during the auction.

Released Players:

• Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Harleen Deol, Kim Garth, Dayalan Hemalatha, and many more.

This signals a major rebuild phase for Gujarat Giants, who struggled for consistency in previous seasons. With a large purse available, they’re expected to target strong Indian domestic performers and a few global stars during the auction.

6. UP Warriorz (Women)

Retained Players:

• Alyssa Healy (Australia)

Analysis:

The UP Warriorz management made a bold move by retaining only one player — Alyssa Healy. This decision means they enter the auction with almost their entire purse intact, allowing them to completely revamp the squad.

Healy’s experience and leadership make her an ideal player to rebuild around. Expect the Warriorz to go big on Indian domestic stars and emerging international talent during the auction.

Released Players:

• Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and others.

UP’s massive clear-out shocked fans, especially the release of Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone, both key match-winners. The franchise seems to be chasing a new direction, possibly focusing on youth and power-hitting depth.

7. Major Surprises and Talking Points

(A) Meg Lanning Released by Delhi Capitals – A Major WPL 2026 Retention Shock

One of the biggest surprises from the WPL 2026 Retention List was the release of Meg Lanning by the Delhi Capitals. The Australian superstar, who played a pivotal role in Delhi’s past WPL campaigns as both captain and top-order leader, was expected to be a certain retention.
Her departure indicates that Delhi might be planning a leadership transition as part of their WPL 2026 Retention strategy, possibly grooming new Indian talent to take charge in the next phase of the Women’s Premier League.

(B) UP Warriorz’s Clean Slate Approach in WPL 2026 Retention

The UP Warriorz made a daring move during the WPL 2026 Retention window, choosing to retain only Alyssa Healy. This bold decision gives them a massive advantage going into the WPL 2026 auction, with one of the largest remaining purses among all teams.
By opting for a clean slate, UP Warriorz can rebuild their squad with fresh signings and possibly focus on nurturing a young, dynamic side for the WPL 2026 season.

(C) Mumbai Indians’ Stability Amid WPL 2026 Retention Changes

While several franchises made sweeping changes, the Mumbai Indians maintained remarkable consistency during the WPL 2026 Retention process. Their decision to stick with their strong core reflects confidence in their existing setup — a strategy that keeps them early title favorites for the upcoming season.
However, their limited auction purse could challenge them when it comes to competing for top-tier overseas players during the WPL 2026 auction.

(D) Indian Uncapped Players Shine in WPL 2026 Retention

The WPL 2026 Retention has also showcased the growing focus on domestic talent. The inclusion of G Kamalini (MI) and Niki Prasad (DC) among the retained players demonstrates the league’s continued commitment to India’s emerging stars.
This emphasis on uncapped Indian players underlines how the Women’s Premier League 2026 Retention phase serves as a crucial platform for developing the next generation of Indian cricketing talent.

8. Auction Expectations for WPL 2026

The WPL 2026 Mega Auction is expected to take place in late November 2025, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive events in women’s franchise cricket history.

Here’s what to expect:

• UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants will dominate the early bidding rounds, armed with massive purses.

• Indian domestic performers from the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy will be in high demand.

• Expect all-rounders like Deepti Sharma, Amelia Kerr, and Kim Garth to attract record bids.

• Young Indian pacers and wicket-keepers may also see strong interest due to limited availability.

The league’s overall competitiveness is set to rise as teams restructure, new players emerge, and rivalries intensify.

9. What Retention Means for the Future of WPL

Retention isn’t just a procedural step — it shapes a team’s identity. Teams like Mumbai and Delhi, who retained their core, are signaling stability and continuity. On the other hand, RCB, Gujarat, and UP are signaling rebuilding and experimentation.

This contrast will likely make the 2026 season even more unpredictable and entertaining. Fans can expect thrilling new combinations, fresh leadership faces, and intense bidding wars that could redefine franchise loyalties.

Moreover, the retention rules’ emphasis on uncapped Indian players shows the WPL’s intent to strengthen India’s talent pipeline. Emerging cricketers will now see a clear path from domestic tournaments to global franchise stardom.

10. Team-Wise Retention Summary (WPL 2026)

Conclusion

The WPL 2026 retention list has officially set the tone for an electrifying new season. With big names like Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, and Sophie Ecclestone heading back to the auction pool, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Mumbai and Delhi look strong on paper, but RCB’s smart balance and the auction firepower of UP and Gujarat could make 2026 the most unpredictable season yet.

Beyond the numbers and names, what truly stands out is how the Women’s Premier League continues to evolve — promoting young Indian talent, enhancing global recognition for women’s cricket, and delivering world-class entertainment.

Written by The Cricket Show

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