Top players retained, notable releases as teams prepare for December auction with ₹ 18 crore cap
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season is taking shape as franchises finalized their retention lists ahead of December’s much-anticipated player auction. With each team permitted a maximum of 18 players, including six overseas stars, squads are honing their lineups in pursuit of the championship title. Noteworthy adjustments in rosters reveal strategic decisions as franchises aim to build balanced squads while sticking to the ₹ 18 crore cap, which saw a steady increase from ₹ 12 crore in the inaugural season to ₹ 13.5 crore last year.
Captains Harmanpreet Kaur of Mumbai Indians (MI) and Smriti Mandhana of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pose together at a recent match, symbolizing the anticipation surrounding the WPL 2025. Both leaders headline retention lists for their respective franchises, while prominent international stars like England’s Heather Knight and Issy Wong have been released, marking a shift in team compositions.
Major Retentions and Releases
Mumbai Indians (MI):
Under the leadership of Kaur, MI retained its core players, including all-rounders Hayley Matthews, Nat-Sciver Brunt, and pace bowler Shabnim Ismail. MI’s decision to release Issy Wong, who etched her name in WPL history with a hat-trick last season, was met with surprise among fans. With a remaining purse of ₹ 2.65 crore, MI has four slots open to potentially bring in fresh talent.
Delhi Capitals (DC):
The Capitals retained rising stars like Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma, alongside international players Meg Lanning and Marizanne Kapp. The decision to release experienced spinner Poonam Yadav signals a strategic pivot, perhaps toward younger bowling options. DC heads to the auction with a budget of ₹ 2.50 crore and four open spots.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB):
Led by Mandhana, RCB secured key players such as Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh, retaining a solid core of both domestic and overseas players. However, the release of Heather Knight and several younger talents indicates RCB’s focus on building a dynamic team. With ₹ 3.25 crore remaining, RCB has four open slots and plenty of flexibility heading into the auction.
UP Warriorz:
The Warriorz retained their star, Alyssa Healy, along with versatile all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone. Notably, they released England’s Lauren Bell and traded Danny Wyatt-Hodge to RCB. With three slots and ₹ 3.9 crore in hand, UP Warriorz are well-positioned to strengthen their lineup.
Gujarat Giants:
The Giants retained top talents like Ashleigh Gardner and Laura Wolvaardt, while releasing experienced players including Sneh Rana and Lea Tahuhu. With ₹ 4.4 crore in purse and four vacant slots, Gujarat will likely look to add variety to their squad during the auction.
Purse Balances and Remaining Slots
| Team | Remaining Purse | Slots Available | Notable Retained Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | ₹ 2.65 crore | 4 | Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat-Sciver Brunt, Hayley Matthews |
| Delhi Capitals | ₹ 2.50 crore | 4 | Jemimah Rodrigues, Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp |
| RCB | ₹ 3.25 crore | 4 | Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh |
| UP Warriorz | ₹ 3.9 crore | 3 | Alyssa Healy, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone |
| Gujarat Giants | ₹ 4.4 crore | 4 | Ashleigh Gardner, Laura Wolvaardt |
Looking Ahead
While this is not a mega auction, each team’s strategy for retaining or releasing players hints at their goals for the upcoming season. Teams are expected to go after younger, versatile players who can add depth and flexibility to their lineups. With auction dates yet to be confirmed, fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting updates on which players will join the WPL 2025 rosters.
As the WPL 2025 auction approaches, the stakes are high for franchises to craft well-rounded teams. The coming weeks promise intense bidding wars as teams aim to secure game-changers, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling WPL season.
