WPL 2026: Deepti Sharma, Laura Wolvaardt, Alyssa Healy Among Big Names Released Ahead of Mega Auction

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is set for a major reshuffle as several top players were released by their franchises during the retention announcement on November 6, 2025. With the mega auction scheduled for November 27 in New Delhi, teams have made bold decisions to rebuild their squads and balance overseas player slots.

Each team could retain a maximum of five players — including three capped Indians, two overseas, and two uncapped Indians. As a result, even some of the most prominent names from WPL 2025 and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 have been let go.

Here’s a look at the top players not retained by their respective franchises ahead of WPL 2026:

1. Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz)

In one of the biggest surprises, UP Warriorz released India all-rounder Deepti Sharma before the 2026 auction. Deepti, who was named Player of the Tournament in India’s victorious Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 campaign, was expected to be a key figure in the franchise’s plans. Her release suggests a significant rebuild for UP Warriorz.

2. Laura Wolvaardt (Gujarat Giants)

South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who topped the scoring charts in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, has been released by the Gujarat Giants. The franchise opted to retain Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner, both from Australia, due to the overseas player limit.

3. Alyssa Healy (UP Warriorz)

Australia captain Alyssa Healy, who also led UP Warriorz in the previous season, has been released ahead of the upcoming auction. Healy’s exit marks a major leadership shift for the franchise as it looks to refresh its core lineup.

4. Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals)

In a stunning move, Delhi Capitals have let go of Meg Lanning, one of the most successful captains in women’s cricket. Lanning guided DC to three consecutive WPL finals, making her release a major talking point ahead of the auction.

5. Amelia Kerr (Mumbai Indians)

New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr, a consistent performer and one of the top-ranked all-rounders globally, was released by Mumbai Indians. Despite her strong record, MI opted to reshuffle its overseas combination for the new season.

6. Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz)

England spinner Sophie Ecclestone, the world’s No.1 T20I bowler, has also been released by UP Warriorz. The decision has raised eyebrows, given Ecclestone’s consistency and match-winning abilities across formats.

7. Renuka Singh Thakur (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

The RCB chose not to retain her, which means India pacer Renuka Singh Thakur will be part of the 2026 auction pool to help the franchise strengthen its bowling attack with fresh additions.

With several world-class players coming into the auction, the WPL 2026 mega auction certainly promises to be among the most competitive auctions in history. The teams will be working hard to nail down the right blend of youth, experience, and star power through some major acquisitions.