Not Harmanpreet or Jemimah, Australian Player Earns ₹3.5 Crore in WPL Despite World Cup Failure

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 retention list has officially been announced, revealing several key moves and surprises across all five franchises. Teams were allowed to retain up to five players, including a maximum of three capped Indians and two overseas stars, with the top retention valued at ₹3.5 crore.

Powerhouses like the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals opted for full retentions to maintain their strong core, while UP Warriorz took a bold approach by keeping only one player, freeing up a larger purse for the upcoming mega auction. Big names like Ash Gardner, Smriti Mandhana, and Nat Sciver-Brunt were retained at the top brackets. A few notable players were released, setting the stage for an exciting auction later this month in New Delhi.

Ashleigh Gardner, the skipper of Gujarat Giants, took her team to the playoffs for the first time in the previous season, and she has been valued even more than the World Cup-winning Indian captain, Harmanpreet Kaur and star performer Jemimah Rodrigues in terms of player retentions.

Ash Gardner Earns Massive Amount in WPL Retentions

Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner has been retained by the Gujarat Giants for a massive ₹3.5 crore ahead of the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, making her one of the most valued players in the tournament. This decision comes despite Australia’s semi-final exit at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. This shows that individual brilliance can maintain a player’s market value even when the team falls short of expectations.

Gardner’s World Cup campaign was marked by remarkable performances, including two centuries against New Zealand and England. She has the ability to change the course of a match with both her batting and bowling. She is a crucial asset for the Gujarat Giants, and their choice to retain her at the top retention bracket shows their belief in her potential to contribute consistently.

Highest Paid Player in WPL Retention

The WPL retention list has confirmed the highest-paid players of the season, and three marquee stars secured the top retention slot of ₹3.5 crore, showing their unmatched value to their respective franchises. Let's have a look at the highest-paid player in WPL Retentions.

• Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians) – One of the most complete players in world cricket, the English all-rounder continues to be the backbone of the Mumbai Indians women. Her consistent match-winning knocks and ability to contribute with both bat and ball have secured her the first bracket of player retention, even ahead of Harmanpreet Kaur, who has been retained at INR 2.5 crore by the franchise.
• Smriti Mandhana (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) – India’s star opener and one of the most famous female cricketers of India, Mandhana remains at the heart of RCB’s plans. RCB’s decision to retain Smriti Mandhana for ₹3.5 crore shows her stature as not just a captain and match-winner, but also a vital brand ambassador for the team’s identity in the long term.
• Ash Gardner (Gujarat Giants) – The third player to earn the top retention value is Ashleigh Gardner, one of the best women cricketers of all time. She is the skipper of Gujarat Giants and has been valued highly because of her power-hitting, wicket-taking off-spin, and overall impact. She is one of the most complete all-rounders of the game.