From Sneh Rana to Heather Knight – Retentions and Surprise Releases of WPL 2025

All 5 WPL Franchise Captains (PC: @wplt20 on Instagram)

The 5 WPL franchises have unveiled their retention list for the 2025 WPL season and fans are buzzing with excitement. Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched the trophy last season as Delhi Capitals finished runners-up for the second consecutive time. For the mini-auction, every team can retain up to 18 players, including 6 overseas players and have a purse of INR 15 crore. Although the auction dates haven’t been confirmed yet by the BCCI, the franchises revealed their retentions yesterday, let’s take a look:

 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

When it comes to the defending champions, they have kept their core intact, starting with their most expensive player and skipper, Smriti Mandhana. Alongside the captain, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Asha Shobhana, Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux have been retained. England batter Dani Wyatt has been traded in from UP Warriorz for INR 30 Lakh. A surprise release was that of England captain Heather Knight, who might have been let go because of her recent injuries but her performance in the T20Is stands tall.

 

Delhi Capitals

One of the strongest teams in the tournament, DC have impressed everyone with their consistency, finishing as runners-up in the last two seasons. Their retention list starts with someone who brings invaluable experience and leadership skills to the team – Meg Lanning.

Like RCB, the Delhi franchise has retained their core group of key players, including Jemimah Rodrigues. The Indian batter has also been retained by her WBBL franchise. Their bowling line-up has been fortified by South African Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Titas Sadhu, Shikha Pandey and Alice Capsey. Although DC seems more than confident in their bowling depth, Poonam Yadav being released was a surprise.

 

Gujarat Giants

Gujarat Giants’ retention list begins with the second Australian captain in the WPL – Beth Mooney, who has put in some incredible performances in the WBBL  – 77 off 52, 36 off 25, and 31 off 27. International stars, Ashleigh Gardener, Phoebe Litchfield, and Laura Wolvaardt stay on with GG.

 

Among young talents, the Giants have retained pacers Kashvee Gautam, Shabnam Shakil and all rounder Sayali Satghare; alongside domestic talent, Bharti Fulmali, a veteran from Vidarbha. However, Sneh Rana’s release has sent shockwaves, Rana who led GG during Mooney’s injury last season and claimed an eight-wicket haul in the Chennai Test, seemed like an obvious name in the retention list.

 

Mumbai Indians

When it comes to the inaugural champions, Mumbai Indians have opted to retain five overseas players: Amelia Kerr, who has been in red hot form, big-hitter, Chloe Tryon, West Indies all-rounder, Hayley Matthews, England all-rounder, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and South African speedster, Shabnim Ismail.

Surprisingly, English pacer Issy Wong has been released despite her impressive performance in her debut season, where she was the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament; her hat-trick against UP Wariorz was memorable to say the least. But Wong’s departure could be a direct result of Ismail’s retention, who brings far more experience and firepower to the team. Among the Indian contingent, the skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, Yastika Bhatia and Pooja Vastrakar ensure a well-rounded core.

 

UP Warriorz

Despite a disappointing season, UP Warriorz have continued with the Australian captain, Alyssa Healy. Reportedly, Deepti Sharma had shown interest to take up the captaincy and was being pursued by DC, but UPW ultimately managed to retain the all-rounder. Although they didn’t offer her the leadership role.

Meanwhile, Chamari Athapaththu has also secured her place, having missed out on the initial season. The rest of the overseas roster includes power-hitters, Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris, along with the number one T20I bowler, Sophie Ecclestone. They have released Lauren Bell, possibly due to her limited opportunities in the last season, leaving them some room to acquire fresh talent at the mini-auction.