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Deepti Sharma, Laura Wolvaardt, Amelia Kerr, Alyssa Healy and Sophie Ecclestone are among the top players released by their WPL teams ahead of the WPL 2026 mega auctions.
11 shocking player release ahead of WPL 2026 mega auctions. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
A complete of 17 players were retained by five Women’s Premier League (WPL) teams on Thursday (November 6) ahead of the upcoming WPL 2026 mega auctions. While the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma were retained by their previous teams, Deepti Sharma and Laura Wolvaardt – the 2 top performers in the ultimate of the recently concluded ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 – weren’t retained by UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants, respectively.
Along with them, Meg Lanning, who led Delhi Capitals to back-to-back three WPL finals, Amelia Kerr, who’s the second-highest wicket-taker in WPL history, Renuka Thakur, Alyssa Healy and Sophie Ecclestone have also been retained by their franchises.
Here’s a have a look at the 11 shocking releases ahead of the WPL 2025 mega auctions.
Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz)
Deepti Sharma has scored 507 runs and picked up 27 wickets in 25 WPL matches for UP Warriorz within the last three seasons. In 2025, she also led the franchise within the WPL but was only in a position to win three matches, and the team finished at the underside of the points table. Deepti is among the finest all-rounders of all time, and within the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2025, she won the Player of the Tournament award.
Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals)
Meg Lanning is the very best run getter in WPL history for Delhi Capitals. In 27 matches, she has amassed a complete of 952 runs for the Delhi-based franchise. The previous Australian captain, who was signed for Rs 1.10 crore by DC within the first-ever WPL auction, led them to 3 WPL finals in a row.
Laura Wolvaardt (Gujarat Giants)
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt was released by GG despite her super show with the bat within the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The correct-handed batter from Cape Town has played 13 matches within the Women’s Premier League for Gujarat Giants and scored 342 runs.
Amelia Kerr (Mumbai Indians)
Latest Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr is the second-highest wicket-taker in WPL history. In 29 matches for the Mumbai Indians, she has dismissed 40 batters to date. Along with her bowling, Amelia has impressed together with her batting too and has scored 437 runs.
Alyssa Healy (UP Warriorz)
Australian captain Alyssa Healy has played 17 matches within the WPL for UP Warriorz and has scored 428 runs. She missed the 2025 edition of the WPL because of an injury, and in her absence, Deepti Sharma led the franchise.
Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz)
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone has dismissed 36 batters in 25 WPL matches played to date. She is UPW’s highest wicket-taker in WPL and overall third highest.
Renuka Thakur (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
Renuka Thakur is a premier Indian fast bowler. Within the WPL, she played the last three seasons for RCB after joining them for Rs 1.50 crore within the first-ever auction. Renuka, who hails from Himachal Pradesh and was also a member of India’s 2025 ODI World Cup-winning team, has dismissed 13 batters in 23 WPL matches.
Sophie Devine (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
Latest Zealand legend Sophie Devine was signed for Rs 50 lakh within the first-ever WPL auction. Devine, who’s considered one of the best cricketers of all time, played 18 matches for RCB in WPL and scored 402 runs along with taking 9 wickets.
November 06, 2025, 19:12 IST
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