WPL Retentions 2026 — Player Retained List (Predicted)

As the WPL auction approaches, the retention phase has become one of the most crucial steps for franchises as they prepare for the mega-auction later this month. Each of the five teams can retain up to five players, but there are specific limits: a maximum of three capped Indian players, two overseas players, and two uncapped Indian players, with at least one uncapped Indian required if all five slots are used.

WPL Retentions 2026 also impact the auction purse, which is set at ₹15 crore per team. The first retained player costs ₹3.5 crore, the second ₹2.5 crore, the third ₹1.75 crore, the fourth ₹1 crore, and the fifth ₹50 lakh. If a team retains all five players, ₹9.25 crore is deducted from their purse, and they lose the option to use Right-to-Match (RTM) cards during the auction.

So, retaining fewer players leaves more flexibility for both budget and RTM choices. Teams were supposed to finalise their retentions by November 5, but it got extended by a day. The mega-auction takes place later in the month, making these decisions crucial in shaping the squads and overall strategies for the season.

WPL Retentions 2026: Full List of Players Retained

The release of the WPL retention list has significantly changed the dynamics of the Women’s Premier League ahead of the mega-auction scheduled for November 27 in Delhi. Among the Indian stars retained are Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Verma, while the list of released players features international stars such as Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, and Amelia Kerr.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals chose to retain five players each, whereas Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz decided to retain fewer players, leaving themselves with more flexibility to utilise Right-to-Match options during the auction.

Mumbai Indians Retentions:

Ahead of WPL 2026, the Mumbai Indians Women have made strategic choices to retain their core players ahead of the upcoming season. Leading the team is captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Alongside her, the team has retained top overseas all-rounders Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews, who were standout performers last season with both bat and ball.

To complete their five-player retention, Mumbai has also kept promising Indian talents like Amanjot Kaur and G Kamalini, with Kamalini filling the required uncapped Indian slot.

Delhi Capitals Retentions:

In a surprising move ahead of WPL 2026, Delhi Capitals decided to release their long-time captain Meg Lanning, one of the league’s most prolific batters. Rising star Niki Prasad has been retained, alongside established match-winners Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, and Marizanne Kapp. These are also among the best women cricketers. This combination reflects Delhi’s intent to build a younger core with strong potential.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Retentions:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have retained some of their most important players, including Smriti Mandhana, who has scored the most centuries in women's cricket and will continue to lead the team as a star batter and captain. Ellyse Perry, their reliable overseas all-rounder, Richa Ghosh, the wicketkeeper-batter, and Shreyanka Patil, a talented young all-rounder, have also found a place in the retention list.

In addition to these four retentions, RCB has kept one Right-to-Match (RTM) card in reserve, giving them the flexibility to potentially bring back key players like Sophie Devine or Renuka Singh during the auction.

UP Warriorz Retentions:

UP Warriorz have made a bold move ahead of WPL 2026, going for a complete overhaul of their squad. The team decided to retain only one player, young Indian batter Shweta Sehrawat, while releasing experienced stars like Alyssa Healy, Deepti Sharma, and Sophie Ecclestone. This strategy gives UP Warriorz the largest purse among all franchises, ₹14.5 crore, along with four Right-to-Match (RTM) cards.

Gujarat Giants Retentions:

Gujarat Giants have made a strategic decision ahead of the Women’s Premier League 2026, choosing to retain only two of their big‑name players: Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner. It means that stars such as Laura Wolvaardt and Phoebe Litchfield have been released.