Archive · 5 Nov 2025
WPL 2026 Retention: Experts Advise Franchises on Key Player Decisions
The TATA Women's Premier League (WPL) is getting ready for its next big player auction, and experts are giving teams advice on who to keep.
Each team needs to decide which players they want to sign for the next season before the auction starts.
For example, RCB is being told to keep star players like Ellyse Perry and Smriti Mandhana because they are very good.
Mumbai Indians have many strong players, so they have tough choices about who to keep, especially overseas stars like Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Delhi Capitals are thinking about both their current captain, Meg Lanning, and who might be a good Indian captain in the future.
Teams also need to consider keeping promising young players who haven't played much yet.
These decisions are important for building a winning team.
Experts provided retention advice for TATA WPL 2026 franchises on JioHotstar's 'Retention Preview'.
RCB is advised to retain Ellyse Perry, Smriti Mandhana, and Richa Ghosh, with Sneh Rana or Kanika Ahuja as other Indian options.
Mumbai Indians face tough overseas retention choices with Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, and Hayley Matthews, while Harmanpreet Kaur is a key Indian retention.
Delhi Capitals must balance retaining captain Meg Lanning with grooming an Indian successor, prioritizing Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues.
Gujarat Giants are expected to retain Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney, with Bharati Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam also being priorities.
- Who
- Experts (Mithali Raj, Veda Krishnamurthy, Saba Karim) and players of TATA WPL franchises, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mumbai Indians, UP Warriorz, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Giants.
- What
- Analysis and recommendations for player retention strategies ahead of the TATA WPL 2026 mega auction.
- When
- Leading up to the TATA WPL 2026 season and its mega auction.
- Where
- Discussed on JioHotstar's TATA WPL 'Retention Preview'.
- Why
- To help franchises build strong core squads by making informed decisions on which players to retain based on performance, potential, and team needs.
Retain Maximum Players
Prioritize Auction Flexibility
Number of Indian Player Retentions
Retain Maximum Players
Some franchises like RCB face a dilemma on retaining three Indian players versus limiting to two, with experts suggesting retaining strong Indian talents like Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh.
Prioritize Auction Flexibility
To maintain auction flexibility, franchises might opt for fewer retentions, potentially impacting their ability to secure key Indian players who might not be retained.
Overseas Player Retention Strategy
Retain Maximum Players
Experts like Mithali Raj highlight the importance of retaining impactful overseas players like Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham for their all-round contributions and match-winning abilities.
Prioritize Auction Flexibility
With many prominent overseas all-rounders, franchises like Mumbai Indians face tough decisions, potentially releasing some to free up purse space and allow new talent to emerge in the auction.
- Retention Deadline
- Implied to be before the TATA WPL 2026 mega auction
- Key Franchises Discussed
- RCB, Mumbai Indians, UP Warriorz, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants
- Expert Analysts
- Mithali Raj, Veda Krishnamurthy, Saba Karim
- Player Retention Categories
- Indian capped, Indian uncapped, Overseas
- Factors in Retention Decisions
- Match-winning ability, all-round contribution, captaincy, future potential, hitting power, spin bowling, wicketkeeping
