Hey cricket fans, if you’re glued to your screens like us at IPL Star, today’s news has you buzzing. The WPL 2026 retention and release list just hit, and it’s a rollercoaster. Imagine this: Deepti Sharma, the hero who snagged Player of the Tournament in both the 2025 WPL and the ODI World Cup, gets the boot from UP Warriorz. Or Gujarat Giants ditching World Cup top-scorer Laura Wolvaardt to stick with their Aussie stars. These aren’t just moves—they’re earthquakes in women’s cricket.
As of November 6, 2025, the BCCI dropped the official hammer. Five teams, INR 75 crore total purse, and a brand-new Right-to-Match (RTM) twist. It’s all setting the stage for the mega auction in Delhi on November 27. At IPL Star, we’re unpacking every angle: why these choices matter, who wins big, and how it flips the script for 2026.
This isn’t your dry report. We’re talking heart-pounding drama, data-packed tables, and predictions that’ll have you debating in the comments. Why did Delhi Capitals let go of captain Meg Lanning after three finals? Is UP Warriorz’ clean-slate gamble genius or madness? Stick around—we’ve got over 5,000 words of pure cricket gold, all simple, no jargon overload.
Ready to dive into the WPL 2026 retention and release frenzy? Let’s roll. And hey, what’s your boldest prediction for the auction? Drop it below!
WPL 2026 Retention Rules Decoded: Your Simple Guide to the Game-Changers
Cricket evolves fast, and WPL 2026 retention and release rules are no exception. Picture this: teams juggling stars like hot potatoes, all under a fresh set of guidelines. For the first time, franchises can hold onto up to six players—three capped Indians, two overseas, and two uncapped Indians. But here’s the kicker: if you retain five or more, one must be uncapped. It’s BCCI’s way of boosting young blood.
Why the change? Last year’s WPL 2025 saw heavy reliance on imports, so this pushes homegrown talent. Retention slabs? Straightforward cash brackets to keep things fair. Top dogs fetch up to INR 3.5 crore, down to INR 30 lakh for bargains.
But the real spice? RTM cards. Based on how many you release, you get “rights” to match bids on ex-players at auction. UP Warriorz snagged four—insane! It’s like IPL’s revenge buys, but for women’s cricket.
Let’s break it down with tables. No walls of text here—just quick hits for you, the fan scrolling on your phone.
Retention Slabs Table: How Much Do Stars Cost?
| Slab Level | Amount (INR Crore) | Example Players Retained |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | 3.5 | Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI), Smriti Mandhana (RCB), Ashleigh Gardner (GG) |
| Second | 2.75 | Richa Ghosh (RCB) |
| Third | 2.5 | Harmanpreet Kaur (MI), Beth Mooney (GG) |
| Fourth | 2.2 | Jemimah Rodrigues (DC), Shafali Verma (DC) |
| Fifth | 1.75 | Hayley Matthews (MI) |
| Sixth | 1.0 | Amanjot Kaur (MI) |
| Uncapped | 0.5-0.6 | G Kamalini (MI), Shweta Sehrawat (UPW) |
This setup ensures no team dominates pre-auction. Total spent across teams? Just INR 34.9 crore so far, leaving INR 40.1 crore for the frenzy.
Max Retention Matrix: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
| Category | Max Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capped Indian | 3 | Stars like Mandhana count here |
| Overseas | 2 | Mooney, Gardner—key for balance |
| Uncapped Indian | 2 | Mandatory for 5+ retentions; youth focus |
| Total | 6 | RTM adds auction wildcard |
Compare this to IPL 2025: WPL’s uncapped rule is stricter, forcing teams like MI to bet on G Kamalini over proven Yastika Bhatia. Genius for parity, right?
And RTM? In three steps: 1) Player bids high at auction. 2) Ex-team matches it. 3) Boom—they’re back, or the bidder wins. It’s fan service at its best.
Sources like BCCI Official WPL Page confirm these tweaks aim for “deeper talent pools.” At IPL Star, we love it—more drama!
Confused on RTM? Hit the comments. What’s one rule you’d tweak?
Team-Wise Deep Dive: Unpacking Every WPL 2026 Retention and Release Call
Now, the meat. Each team’s WPL 2026 retention and release screams strategy. MI plays safe, UPW goes nuclear. We’ve crunched 2025 WPL stats and World Cup numbers for context. All in tables—easy scan.
3.1 Mumbai Indians: Steady Core or Auction Trap? (The Continuity Kings)
Mumbai Indians, your back-to-back champs, went for five retentions. Smart? Absolutely. They locked Nat Sciver-Brunt at a whopping INR 3.5 crore—up from last year. Why? Her 2025 WPL POTY haul: 312 runs at SR 145, plus 12 wickets. She’s the glue.
But skipper Harmanpreet Kaur at INR 2.5 crore? A nod to experience, even after a quiet World Cup. Hayley Matthews adds overseas punch—1.75 Cr for her spin-batting combo.
The youth bet? G Kamalini, uncapped at 50 lakh. Her 2025 cameos (SR 130 as keeper-batter) scream potential.
Releases hurt: Amelia Kerr’s spin void (economy 6.8 in 2025) leaves a gap. Shabnim Ismail’s pace fire? Gone.
MI Retained Players Table: Who’s Staying and Why
| Player Name | Role | Price (INR Cr) | 2025 WPL Stats Highlights | World Cup 2025 Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nat Sciver-Brunt | All-Rounder (OV) | 3.5 | 312 runs, 12 wkts, SR 145 | Semi-final hero, 150 SR |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Batter (Captain) | 2.5 | 245 runs, SR 130 | Final push, leadership |
| Hayley Matthews | All-Rounder (OV) | 1.75 | 200 runs, 10 wkts | Top-order stability |
| Amanjot Kaur | All-Rounder | 1.0 | 150 runs, SR 140 | Finishing flair |
| G Kamalini | WK-Batter (Unc) | 0.5 | 80 runs, SR 130 | Youth promise |
Total spent: 9.25 Cr. Purse left: 5.75 Cr. No RTM—pure bidding wars ahead.
MI 2025 Batting/Bowling Rankings Table
| Category | Player | Runs/Wkts | Avg/Econ | Rank in League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batting | Sciver-Brunt | 312 runs | 41.6 | 2nd |
| Bowling | Matthews | 10 wkts | 6.2 | 5th |
Coach vibes? “Depth in every phase,” per insiders. But without Kerr, they eye Deepti Sharma at auction. Risky? Maybe. Genius? If they snag her.
Fans, would you RTM Kerr if you could? Tell us!
3.2 Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Richa Ghosh Heist Ignites Title Hopes (Evolution Edge)
RCB, the heartbreak kids, flipped the script with four retentions. Smriti Mandhana at 3.5 Cr? Captain’s lock—her 2025 WPL 612 runs (SR 142) powered chases. But the steal? Richa Ghosh from DC at 2.75 Cr. World Cup semi-blazer (SR 150+), she fixes RCB’s middle-order wobble.
Ellyse Perry (2 Cr) brings all-round grit—pace and power. Shreyanka Patil (60 lakh) is spin gold, her 2025 leg-spin snaring 15 wickets at econ 6.5.
Releases sting: Renuka Singh’s pace (top swing bowler) out hurts. Sophie Devine’s all-roundery? Auction bait.
New coach Malolan Rangarajan gushed: “Her association with risk and how she faces pressure situations is exactly what we want in our batting order. And somebody we view with leadership potential as well.” Ghosh could co-captain?
RCB Retained Players Table: Power-Packed Core
| Player Name | Role | Price (INR Cr) | 2025 WPL Stats Highlights | World Cup 2025 Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | Opener (Captain) | 3.5 | 612 runs, SR 142 | Consistent anchor |
| Richa Ghosh | WK-Batter | 2.75 | 280 runs, SR 150 | Semi-final fireworks |
| Ellyse Perry | All-Rounder (OV) | 2.0 | 180 runs, 8 wkts | Lower-order hitter |
| Shreyanka Patil | Spinner | 0.6 | 15 wkts, Econ 6.5 | Breakout star |
Spent: 8.85 Cr. Purse: 6.15 Cr. One RTM—perfect for Devine reclaim.
RCB Middle-Order Strike Rate Comparison Table (Pre/Post Ghosh Sim)
| Scenario | Key Batter | SR Before | SR After Projection | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without Ghosh | Perry | 125 | – | – |
| With Ghosh | Ghosh | – | 152 | +27 pts |
ESPNcricinfo RCB Analysis backs this: Ghosh boosts win prob by 15%. Auction target? Pooja Vastrakar for pace.
RCB trophy drought ends? We think yes. Your take in comments?
3.3 Delhi Capitals: Lanning’s Exit Sparks Captaincy Chaos (Bold Reset)
Delhi Capitals shocked the world: Meg Lanning, three-time finalist skipper, released. Why? Injury whispers and a youth push. They retained five at flat 2.2 Cr each (except one)—Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma for Indian flair.
Annabel Sutherland (OV all-rounder) and Marizanne Kapp (pace queen) add overseas bite. Niki Prasad, uncapped at 50 lakh, is the fresh face—her domestic 2025 SR 135 screams promise.
Releases: Radha Yadav’s spin (econ 5.8) gone, Arundhati Reddy’s seam out. Lanning’s void? Huge.
Coach Gareth Batty sighed: “It’s been really tough… Jemimah’s got a great captaincy record [in domestic cricket]. Obviously, Annabel Sutherland captains in WBBL as well. So there’s lots of candidates out there.”
DC Retained Players Table: Balanced Rebuild
| Player Name | Role | Price (INR Cr) | 2025 WPL Stats Highlights | World Cup 2025 Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jemimah Rodrigues | Batter | 2.2 | 320 runs, SR 135 | Middle-order glue |
| Shafali Verma | Opener | 2.2 | 450 runs, SR 148 | Power starts |
| Annabel Sutherland | All-Rounder (OV) | 2.2 | 150 runs, 10 wkts | WBBL leadership |
| Marizanne Kapp | Pacer (OV) | 2.2 | 14 wkts, Econ 6.0 | Swing master |
| Niki Prasad | All-Rounder (Unc) | 0.5 | Domestic: SR 135 | Youth injection |
Spent: 9.3 Cr. Purse: 5.7 Cr. No RTM—auction all-in.
DC Captaincy Record Table (Domestic/WBBL)
| Candidate | Wins | Losses | Win % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jemimah | 12 | 5 | 70% | Domestic star |
| Sutherland | 18 | 8 | 69% | WBBL champ |
But econ jumps without Yadav? Target: Deepti!
Lanning to GG? Wild guess. Who’s your DC skipper pick?
3.4 Gujarat Giants: INR 9 Cr War Chest for Total Domination? (Revolution Mode)
Gujarat Giants said “less is more.” Just two retentions: Ashleigh Gardner (3.5 Cr) and Beth Mooney (2.5 Cr). Gardner’s off-spin (16 wkts, econ 5.9 in 2025) and batting? Elite. Mooney anchors opens—World Cup final steady.
The shocker: Releasing Laura Wolvaardt, WC top-scorer (avg 65). Two-OV rule forced it—Aussie duo wins.
Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin out too. Purse hoard: 9 Cr + three RTM.
GG Retained Players Table: Minimalist Power
| Player Name | Role | Price (INR Cr) | 2025 WPL Stats Highlights | World Cup 2025 Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Gardner | All-Rounder (OV) | 3.5 | 16 wkts, 200 runs | MVP vibes |
| Beth Mooney | WK-Opener (OV) | 2.5 | 350 runs, Avg 43 | Final anchor |
Spent: 6 Cr. Purse: 9 Cr. Three RTM—superteam fuel.
GG Possible XI Scenarios Table (With 9 Cr Purse)
| Scenario | Key Auction Targets | Projected XI Strength | Win Boost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: Indian Heavy | Deepti, Healy | Balanced | +20% |
| B: Pace Focus | Kapp, Vastrakar | Attack mode | +15% |
| C: Spin Reload | Ecclestone, Yadav | Twist city | +18% |
Cricbuzz GG Preview calls it “bold call.” Wolvaardt snub? For synergy.
GG’s first title? With this cash, yes. Auction dream team?
3.5 UP Warriorz: Clean Slate Gamble—Deepti’s Exit the Ultimate Bet (High-Risk Revolution)
UP Warriorz went extreme: One retention, Shweta Sehrawat at 50 lakh. Under-19 WC winner, her three-year loyalty and domestic rise (2025 SR 140) shine.
But Deepti Sharma out? POTY double-duty (7/32 WC final, 2025 WPL POTY)—gut punch. Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath gone too.
Coach Abhishek Nayar: “I feel the thought process… was more so to go in with a clean slate, try and have as much money in the purse… to make sure we can not only get the team that we feel we need to win that championship, but also get a lot of these players back.”
Purse: 14.5 Cr + four RTM. Reset or regret?
UPW Retained Players Table: Lone Warrior
| Player Name | Role | Price (INR Cr) | 2025 WPL Stats Highlights | World Cup 2025 Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shweta Sehrawat | All-Rounder (Unc) | 0.5 | Domestic: SR 140, 8 wkts | U19 promise |
Spent: 0.5 Cr. Purse: 14.5 Cr. Four RTM—Deepti return odds high.
UPW 2025 Squad Cost vs 2026 Reset Table
| Aspect | 2025 Total | 2026 Projection | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retained Cost | 8.5 Cr | 0.5 Cr | 8 Cr |
| Key Releases | Deepti (2 Cr est) | – | +2 Cr |
Four RTM: Reclaim 80%?
Deepti back? Bet on it. Your UPW hot take?
Top 10 Released Players: Auction Firestarters and Their Mega Impact
The WPL 2026 retention and release purge unleashed beasts. Deepti tops our list—her dual POTY status? Auction gold. We’ve ranked 10, with 2025/WC stats, base prices, and suitors.
Short para per: Why they’re hot, impact.
- Deepti Sharma (All-Rounder, ex-UPW): WC final 7/32, 2025 WPL 250 runs/15 wkts. Base: 2 Cr. Suitors: MI, RCB. Impact: All-phase fixer; could swing titles.
Top 10 Released Table: Stats and Predictions
| Rank | Player | Role/Base (INR Cr) | 2025 WPL Key Stat | WC 2025 Highlight | Likely Suitors | Auction Ceiling Est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deepti Sharma | All-Rndr/2.0 | 15 wkts, Econ 4.5 | POTY, 7/32 final | MI, RCB | 3.2 Cr |
| 2 | Laura Wolvaardt | Opener/1.5 | 400 runs, Avg 50 | Top-scorer, Avg 65 | DC, UPW | 2.5 Cr |
| 3 | Meg Lanning | Batter/Capt/2.0 | 350 runs, SR 130 | Leadership icon | GG, RCB | 2.8 Cr |
| 4 | Amelia Kerr | Spinner (OV)/1.75 | 12 wkts, Econ 6.8 | Versatile | MI, DC | 2.0 Cr |
| 5 | Alyssa Healy | WK/1.5 | 300 runs, SR 140 | Steady keeper | GG, UPW | 2.2 Cr |
| 6 | Sophie Ecclestone | Spinner (OV)/1.75 | 18 wkts, Econ 5.5 | WC star | UPW (RTM), RCB | 2.5 Cr |
| 7 | Renuka Singh | Pacer/1.0 | 14 wkts, Econ 6.0 | Swing queen | RCB, DC | 1.8 Cr |
| 8 | Sophie Devine | All-Rndr (OV)/1.5 | 200 runs, 10 wkts | Power hitter | RCB (RTM) | 1.9 Cr |
| 9 | Tahlia McGrath | All-Rndr (OV)/1.25 | 150 runs, 12 wkts | Seam threat | UPW (RTM) | 1.7 Cr |
| 10 | Radha Yadav | Spinner/0.75 | 10 wkts, Econ 5.8 | Left-arm guile | DC, MI | 1.2 Cr |
These 10 could fetch 20+ Cr total. Ripple? Spin surplus, WK wars. Deepti’s war: MI vs RCB.
Times of India Release Buzz says bidding starts at dawn.
Who’s your auction MVP? Comment!
RTM Card Strategy Guide: Master the Match-Back Magic
RTM in WPL 2026 retention and release? New toy, big power. UPW’s four cards could flip fates—match a 3 Cr bid on Deepti? Yours.
Pros: Cheap rebuys, fan joy. Cons: Burns purse if overbid.
RTM Pros/Cons Table
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Match exact—no premium | Ties up immediate funds |
| Loyalty | Keep core chemistry | Misses fresh talent |
| Auction | Deters rivals | Risks losing to higher bid |
Case: UPW on Deepti/Healy/Ecclestone/McGrath. Burn all? Or save one?
H3: When to Burn RTM—If sentiment >20% win boost, yes.
Simple: Use wisely.
RTM dream for your team?
Purse Analysis & 3 Mock Auction Scenarios: Who Wins the Bidding War?
Purse kings: UPW (14.5 Cr), GG (9 Cr). Table time.
Purse Remaining Bar Table
| Team | Purse (Cr) | RTM | Power Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPW | 14.5 | 4 | 1 |
| GG | 9.0 | 3 | 2 |
| RCB | 6.15 | 1 | 3 |
| MI | 5.75 | 0 | 4 |
| DC | 5.7 | 0 | 5 |
Scenario A: UPW Rebuild—Snag Deepti (RTM 2.5 Cr), Healy (2.2), Ecclestone (2.5). Total: 7.2 Cr spent. XI: Explosive.
B: GG Superteam—Lanning (2.8), Wolvaardt (2.5), Yadav (1.2). 6.5 Cr. Domination.
C: MI Poaches Deepti (3 Cr bid), Kerr back (2 Cr). Tight, but balanced.
Predictions via CricTracker Sims. UPW favorites post-auction.
Your mock XI?
Leadership Vacuum: 7 Captaincy Contenders Who Could Rule WPL 2026
Lanning out = chaos. Table of hopefuls.
| Contender | Team | Win % | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandhana | RCB | 65% | Incumbent |
| Rodrigues | DC | 70% | Domestic ace |
| Sutherland | DC | 69% | WBBL pro |
| Sciver-Brunt | MI | 62% | POTY leader |
| Mooney | GG | 60% | WC final |
| Ghosh | RCB | 55% | Emerging |
| Gardner | GG | 58% | All-round boss |
Jemimah edges it. ICC Captaincy Ranks.
New skipper shock?
Youth Integration Trends: The Next Gen Rising in WPL 2026 Retention and Release
Uncapped rule = youth boom. Kamalini, Prasad, Sehrawat lead.
Youth Retained Stats Table
| Player | Team | Domestic SR/Wkts | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamalini | MI | 130/5 | WK star |
| Prasad | DC | 135/6 | All-rndr |
| Sehrawat | UPW | 140/8 | Finisher |
BCCI push pays off. More U23 in auctions.
Youth pick?
Fantasy WPL 2026 Must-Picks: Post-Retention Gems
Fantasy heads: Sciver-Brunt C/VC lock. Ghosh differential.
Table: Top 5.
| Pick | Credits Est. | Why Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Sciver-Brunt | 10.5 | All-phase |
| Deepti (Auction) | 9.5 | POTY upside |
| Mandhana | 9.0 | Opener safe |
Build now!
Your fantasy captain?
Quick Hits: Your WPL 2026 Retention and Release
- When is the WPL 2026 auction? November 27, Delhi. Mega event!
- Why was Deepti Sharma released? UPW clean slate for purse/RTM flexibility.
- Who got the highest retention price? Sciver-Brunt, Mandhana, Gardner at 3.5 Cr.
- What’s RTM in WPL? Right-to-Match: Ex-teams bid match on released stars.
- UP Warriorz purse left? Massive 14.5 Cr—rebuild kings.
- RCB’s big signing? Richa Ghosh at 2.75 Cr for middle-order fire.
- DC without Lanning? Yes, eyeing Jemimah or Sutherland as skipper.
- GG’s strategy? Two retentions, 9 Cr purse, three RTM for superteam.
- MI released who? Kerr, Bhatia—spin/WK holes to fill.
- Total retained players? 20 across teams, uncapped mandate key.
More Qs? Ask below!
WPL 2026 Mega Auction: Ultimate Full Breakdown, Rules & Team Strategies.
Wrapping the WPL 2026 Retention and Release Saga: Auction Hype Builds
What a ride. From Deepti’s shocker to UPW’s gamble, WPL 2026 retention and release sets fireworks. November 27 awaits—mark it.
At IPL Star, we’re live-tweeting. Share predictions, reviews in comments. Subscribe for auction updates!
FAQs: WPL 2026 Retention and Release
1. When is the WPL 2026 retention and release auction date?
The WPL 2026 mega auction is scheduled for November 27, 2025, in Delhi. BCCI confirmed the official retention list on November 6. Stay tuned for live updates!
2. Why was Deepti Sharma released in WPL 2026 retention and release?
UP Warriorz released Deepti Sharma (2025 WPL & World Cup POTY) to adopt a clean-slate strategy. Coach Abhishek Nayar aims to rebuild with INR 14.5 Cr purse and 4 RTM cards.
3. Who got the highest retention price in WPL 2026 retention and release?
Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI), Smriti Mandhana (RCB), and Ashleigh Gardner (GG) were retained at INR 3.5 crore—the highest slab in WPL 2026 retention rules.
4. What is the RTM card in WPL 2026 retention and release?
RTM (Right-to-Match) allows teams to match the highest auction bid for released players. UP Warriorz (4 RTM) and Gujarat Giants (3 RTM) lead the pack.
5. How much purse does UP Warriorz have after WPL 2026 retention and release?
WPL 2026 retention and release UP Warriorz retained only Shweta Sehrawat (INR 50 lakh), leaving a massive INR 14.5 crore purse—the highest among all teams.
6. Why did Delhi Capitals release Meg Lanning in WPL 2026 retention and release?
WPL 2026 retention and release DC released Meg Lanning despite three finals to prioritize youth and leadership transition. Jemimah Rodrigues and Annabel Sutherland emerge as captaincy contenders.
7. Which team has the most RTM cards in WPL 2026 retention and release?
WPL 2026 retention and release UP Warriorz secured 4 RTM cards after releasing stars like Deepti Sharma, Alyssa Healy, and Sophie Ecclestone—a strategic auction weapon.
8. Who did RCB retain as their biggest move in WPL 2026 retention and release?
WPL 2026 retention and release RCB retained Richa Ghosh at INR 2.75 crore—a game-changing middle-order heist from DC to end their title drought.
9. Why did Gujarat Giants release Laura Wolvaardt in WPL 2026 retention and release?
WPL 2026 retention and release GG released Laura Wolvaardt (World Cup top-scorer) due to the 2-overseas retention rule, prioritizing Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner.
10. How many players were retained overall in WPL 2026 retention and release?
WPL 2026 retention and release A total of 20 players were retained across five teams, with mandatory uncapped slots boosting youth like G Kamalini and Niki Prasad.
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