WPL 2026 Auction: Player retention list announced ahead of historic season
The TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is shaping up to be a spectacular edition, as the official player retention list has been revealed. The retention period concluded on November 5, 2025, with all five franchises – Delhi Capitals (DC), Gujarat Giants (GG), Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and UP Warriorz (UPW), locking in some of their key stars ahead of the much-anticipated player auction scheduled for November 27, 2025, in New Delhi.
Coming on the heels of India’s historic ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 triumph, this season promises to showcase a blend of world-class talent and emerging stars in the world’s most followed women’s T20 league.
Retention Highlights
Across the five franchises, a total of 17 players have been retained, including 7 overseas stars and 3 uncapped Indian players, giving teams a strong foundation while leaving room for strategic buys at the auction.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
DC has retained Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad. Delhi Capitals have retained a balance of power hitters and experienced all-rounders, including two overseas stars in Sutherland and Kapp.
Gujarat Giants (GG)
GG has retained two players, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney. Gujarat Giants have opted for quality over quantity, retaining two top-tier overseas performers to anchor their lineup.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
MI has retained Natalie Sciver, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G Kamalini. MI have retained a mix of explosive all-rounders and seasoned batters, including two overseas stars, ensuring depth across batting and bowling.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB has retained Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil. RCB has a strong foundation in the batting department with Mandhana and overseas star Ellyse Perry, leaving space for tactical auction buys.
UP Warriorz (UPW)
UP has retained only one player – Shweta Sehrawat. UP Warriorz have retained only one player, which gives them maximum flexibility at the upcoming auction to rebuild a competitive squad.
| Franchise | Players Retained | Overseas | Uncapped | RTM Slots | Money Spent (Cr) | Salary Cap Left (Cr) | Available Slots | Overseas Slots Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9.3 | 5.7 | 13 | 4 |
| GG | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 4 |
| MI | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9.25 | 5.75 | 13 | 4 |
| RCB | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8.85 | 6.15 | 14 | 5 |
| UPW | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.5 | 14.5 | 17 | 6 |
Franchises like UP Warriorz have kept their retained player count minimal to maximize auction flexibility, whereas teams like Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians have retained five players, signaling a strategy of continuity and squad stability.
Looking ahead to the Auction
The TATA WPL 2026 auction promises to be one of the most exciting in league history. With several spots still open and a combined salary cap of over Rs 41 crore across franchises, the upcoming player draft will likely witness intense bidding for top Indian talent and overseas stars.
This season, franchises will also be mindful of team balance, considering overseas slots, uncapped player opportunities, and the emerging young talent that could shape the future of women’s cricket in India.