TATA WPL 2026: Teams Reveal Retained Players Ahead of Mega Auction

The 2026 season of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) is approaching, and franchise teams have streamlined their player retentions. Announced on November 6–7, 2025, the teams retained a smaller selection of key players in preparation for the significant upcoming auction in late November.

Image/credits @Bcci

Complete Team-by-Team Breakdown

Mumbai Indians (Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur)

1. Retained Players: Harmanpreet Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, Hayley Matthews*, Nat Sciver-Brunt*, G Kamalini
2. Overseas Players: Hayley Matthews (WI), Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG)
3. Total Retained: 5
4. Remaining Slots: 13
5. Remaining Purse: ₹11.50 Cr

Delhi Capitals (Captain: Jemimah Rodrigues)

1. Retained Players: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp*, Annabel Sutherland*, Niki Prasad
2. Overseas Players: Marizanne Kapp (SA), Annabel Sutherland (AUS)
3. Total Retained: 5
4. Remaining Slots: 13
5. Remaining Purse: ₹11.20 Cr

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Captain: Smriti Mandhana)

1. Retained Players: Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry*, Shreyanka Patil
2. Overseas Players: Ellyse Perry (AUS)
3. Total Retained: 4
4. Remaining Slots: 14
5. Remaining Purse: ₹12.10 Cr

Gujarat Giants (Captain: Beth Mooney)

1. Retained Players: Beth Mooney*, Ashleigh Gardner*
2. Overseas Players: Beth Mooney (AUS), Ashleigh Gardner (AUS)
3. Total Retained: 2
4. Remaining Slots: 16
5. Remaining Purse: ₹13.50 Cr

UP Warriorz (Captain: Alyssa Healy)

1. Retained Player: Alyssa Healy*
2. Overseas Player: Alyssa Healy (AUS)
3. Total Retained: 1
4. Remaining Slots: 17
5. Remaining Purse: ₹14.00 Cr

Significant player releases such as Deepti Sharma (UPW), Amelia Kerr, and Shabnim Ismail (MI), along with Sophie Ecclestone (UPW) and Sneh Rana (GG), have shaken things up.

These moves set the stage for an intense bidding war especially for Deepti Sharma, who’s expected to draw a massive price. Teams are leaning toward building impactful core groups while reserving roughly 75% of their budgets for new talents.

The Gujarat Giants, with the most open slots, are gearing up for a full scale team overhaul.

ALSO READ: After World Cup Glory, India’s Women Cricketers See a 30% Surge in Brand Endorsements

Auction and What to Expect

The WPL 2026 Auction is scheduled for November 27–28, 2025, in New Delhi.
Expect the return of RTM (Right To Match) cards for past favorites, and keep an eye on emerging names like Radhika Yadav or international returnees making waves.