As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) gears up for its 2025 season, all five teams have finalized their retention lists, setting the stage for an exciting mini auction. With each team allowed up to 18 players, including six overseas, the purse limit stands at ₹15 crore. Notably, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) released the most players, letting go of seven, while Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals retained most of their core squads. Here’s a quick look at the major retentions and releases across the teams:
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
After clinching the title last season, RCB has made bold moves, releasing seven players to optimize their squad balance.
- Retained Players: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Richa Ghosh, Renuka Singh, and Georgia Wareham among others.
- Released Players: Heather Knight, Disha Cassatt, and Simran Bahadur.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
The Mumbai Indians kept a solid core group intact, reflecting their confidence in a well-rounded roster.
- Retained Players: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, and Pooja Vastrakar.
- Released Players: Priyanka Bala, Humaira Kazi, and EC Wong.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals have also stayed close to their core, aiming for continuity in the upcoming season.
- Retained Players: Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, and Meg Lanning.
- Released Players: Laura Harris, Poonam Yadav, and Ashwini Kumari.
UP Warriors (UPW)
UP Warriors maintained their backbone with key players like Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath, focusing on a strong leadership group.
- Retained Players: Alyssa Healy (captain), Deepti Sharma (vice-captain), Sophie Ecclestone, and Grace Harris.
- Released Players: Lauren Bell, Parshvi Chopra, and S Yashasree.
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Gujarat Giants took a more dynamic approach, making multiple changes, including releasing some prominent names.
- Retained Players: Harleen Deol, Beth Mooney, Ashley Gardner, and Laura Wolvaardt.
- Released Players: Sneh Rana, Veda Krishnamurthy, and Lee Tahuhu.
Each team’s retention strategy reflects a mix of stability and adaptability, with the mini auction on the horizon promising an exciting reshuffle of talent. Fans can look forward to seeing how these revamped squads will stack up in the 2025 season.
