The retention list for Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is finally out, and this year’s list has brought some major surprises. While most teams have gone for a balanced approach, the biggest shock came from UP Warriorz, who retained only one player – young batter Shweta Sehrawat – and released their entire remaining squad.
The most unexpected move was the release of Deepti Sharma, the Player of the Series of the Women’s World Cup 2025. Along with her, several global superstars like Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, and Amelia Kerr have also been released and will now enter the 2026 mega auction.
Major Shock: Deepti Sharma, Healy, Lanning Released
UP Warriorz have made the boldest call this season. Despite Deepti Sharma’s sensational World Cup campaign and her leadership in 2025, the franchise decided not to retain her.
Similarly:
- Alyssa Healy (Australia) – Released
- Meg Lanning (Australia) – Released
- Amelia Kerr (New Zealand) – Released
These big names will now be among the most sought-after players in the WPL 2026 mega auction.
Wise WPL 2026 Retention List Team Wise
Delhi Capitals (5 Retained)
- Annabel Sutherland
- Marizanne Kapp
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Shafali Verma
- Niki Prasad
Mumbai Indians (5 Retained)
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Amanjot Kaur
- G. Komaleni
- Hayley Matthews
Royal Challengers Bangalore (4 Retained)
- Smriti Mandhana
- Ellyse Perry
- Richa Ghosh
- Shreyanka Patil
Gujarat Giants (2 Retained)
- Ashleigh Gardner
- Beth Mooney
UP Warriorz (1 Retained)
- Shweta Sehrawat
With only a few players retained across franchises and several stars entering the auction pool, the WPL 2026 Mega Auction is expected to be one of the most thrilling events in league history.
Teams can now use the Right-to-Match (RTM) card for selected players, making the auction even more strategic.
The WPL 2026 retention announcement has set the stage for a dramatic mega auction. The release of top stars—especially Deepti Sharma—has surprised fans and experts alike. All eyes are now on the auction, where big bidding wars are expected for the world’s top talents.
