The retention list for Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 — unveiled ahead of the mega auction — has sent waves through cricketing circles. While some big names secured their spots, a handful of surprising exits have left fans and pundits scratching their heads. In this blog, we dive into the most unexpected releases, speculate on franchise strategies, and look ahead to what the upcoming auction might bring.
What’s the Retention Rule? A Quick Recap
Before we unpack the surprises, it helps to understand the retention framework for WPL 2026. Each franchise had the option to retain a maximum of five players. The cost from their purse (₹15 crore total) is fixed per retention slot — ₹3.5 crore for the first, ₹2.5 crore for the second, ₹1.75 crore for the third, ₹1 crore for the fourth, and ₹50 lakh for the fifth.
Additionally, teams were constrained by quotas: up to three capped Indian players, two overseas players, and up to two uncapped Indians (with at least one uncapped Indian if all five slots are used).
With this structure in mind, teams’ retention choices reflect not just loyalty or performance — but purse management, long-term balance, and strategic planning.
Who Stayed — The Expected Retentions
Before we talk about exits, here are some of the players whose retention was widely expected and thus came as no surprise:
Mumbai Indians retained a strong core including Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur and an uncapped player, G Kamalini.
Delhi Capitals also utilised their full quota, locking in Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, overseas all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland, plus young Indian talent Niki Prasad.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retained a core of Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil.
Gujarat Giants opted for a lean retention — holding on to overseas all-rounders Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney — possibly to remain flexible for the auction.
Meanwhile, UP Warriorz surprised many by retaining only one uncapped player — Shweta Sehrawat — signalling a full-scale rebuild.
Given the mix of stalwarts and strategic plays, these retentions revealed each team’s core plans — but also left room for shifts via the upcoming auction.
The Shocking Exits: Names That Left Fans Stunned
Despite some predictable picks, the release list featured several head-scratching decisions. Here are the players whose omissions stunned fans:
Deepti Sharma
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all. Deepti — fresh off a stellar performance at the 2025 Women’s World Cup — was released by UP Warriorz. As a reliable all-rounder with consistent contributions in both batting and bowling, her exclusion immediately raised eyebrows. Many speculated that salary-cap pressures or a shift in all-rounder strategy prompted the decision.
Pooja Vastrakar
A seam bowler who has proved her worth in both international and league cricket, Pooja’s release was unexpected. Known for lower-order hitting and useful seam bowling, dropping her indicates a potential overhaul of the pace-bowling/ all-rounder department.
Kranti Goud
A name that had been making waves on the domestic circuit, Kranti’s exclusion raised questions about whether franchises prefer experience over raw talent this auction cycle.
Harleen Deol
Harleen — a versatile option with batting, occasional leg spin, and athletic fielding — was another surprising omission. Her release suggests teams may be favoring specialization or investing in foreign all-rounders over domestic all-round flexibility.
Renuka Singh Thakur
Once considered a frontline pacer for RCB, Renuka’s release shows a possible shift toward fresh pace options or different overseas combinations at the auction.
In sum — releasing experienced, high-impact players like Deepti Sharma or Pooja Vastrakar reflects bold — and possibly risky — franchise visions.
Why These Releases? Decoding the Strategy
Given the high stakes and tight purse, franchises likely considered multiple factors when making retention decisions:
Purse management & auction flexibility: By releasing expensive or high-profile players, teams free up funds to build balanced squads or bid aggressively at auction — especially overseas stars.
Balance over star power: Teams may prioritize squad balance — a mix of batters, bowlers, all-rounders — over keeping big names, especially if they already have core stars.
Future potential & squad makeup: Investing in younger players or domestic uncapped talent offers long-term value; for example, UP Warriorz retaining only an uncapped player might signal a focus on youth and rebuilding.
Right-to-Match (RTM) cards: Some releases may be tactical — franchises might hope to re-acquire players during the auction via RTM at a lower price while freeing up purse now.
So while the exits may seem shocking now, they could represent calculated long-term risk-reward strategies.
What Could This Mean for the WPL 2026 Auction — and Fans?
The result of these retention decisions is a mega auction pool loaded with high-quality players — experienced internationals, domestic stars, and uncapped talent. That sets the stage for a dynamic, fiercely contested auction.
Fans might enjoy:
Intense bidding wars for unexpected players like Deepti Sharma or Pooja Vastrakar.
Surprises as players find new homes, reinvent roles or rediscover form under fresh franchises.
Greater opportunities for uncapped talents or young domestic standouts seeking breaks.
For franchises, flexibility in purse and RTM options could lead to creative bidding — to either rebuild core squads or chase marquee stars.
Final Thoughts — A Turning Point for Women’s League Cricket
The surprises in WPL 2026 retentions underscore one thing: franchise cricket is ruthless, unpredictable, and strategic. What looks shocking today may prove visionary tomorrow. As fans, we may feel the sting of unexpected releases — but auctions always offer hope, excitement, and new stories.
Whether you’re catching up on match predictions or checking out fantasy picks, now’s the time to stay alert. And for those who like a side of entertainment with their sports, platforms like Spin24star and their Spin24star cricket playbook might throw up some interesting pre-auction predictions and stats (though it’s always wise to view them as fun — not gospel).
Let’s watch as WPL 2026 unfolds — and brace ourselves for more surprises, upsets, and moments that make us love this game all over again.