Harmanpreet opts Nat Sciver at 1st place: Biggest talking points from WPL retentions

Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat sciver-brunt (Source: AFP)

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has once again created a buzz ahead of the 2026 season with the release of the player retention list. Teams have made some bold and unexpected decisions as they look to balance experience, current form, and future plans.

All five franchises have now revealed the list of players they will keep for the upcoming season. The announcements have surprised many with a mix of shocking retentions and big releases. Having said this, here’s a detailed look at the 3 biggest retention talking points ahead of WPL 2026.

1. DC pick Annabel Sutherland over Meg Lanning

Delhi Capitals decided not to retain Meg Lanning for the upcoming season. Despite leading DC to the finals in all three WPL seasons, Lanning was released as the franchise used its overseas slots to retain Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland.

The decision appears to be based on Sutherland’s all-round value and future potential. The Australian star player  performed well in the recently concluded Women’s World Cup 2025. She scored 117 runs in 7 innings at an average of 29.25 with a strike rate of 85.40.

At just 23, Sutherland offers longevity and balance in both batting and bowling, while Lanning, at 33 years old, is nearing the latter part of her career. DC’s strategy clearly states a shift toward building a more strong core for the future.

2. UP Warriorz release all top players

The UP Warriorz made headlines as the franchise decided to retain only one player, Shweta Sehrawat, for ₹50 lakh, while releasing several of their top stars. The list of released players includes some big names - Deepti Sharma, Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone and Grace Harris.

(Deepti Sharma stats in WPL 2025)

(Sophie Ecclestone's stats in WPL 2025)

The most talked-about decision was the release of Deepti Sharma, who was recently named Player of the Tournament at the Women’s World Cup 2025. Another major surprise was the release of Alyssa Healy, who served as the UP Warriorz' captain last season.

One of the main reasons that the franchise has taken this decision is to rebuild a team from scratch. The UP Warriorz will enter the WPL 2026 mega auction with one of the biggest purses (14.50 crore). With 4 Right-To-Match (RTM) cards available, it would not be wrong to say the team has the flexibility to build a strong team.

3. MI retain Nat Sciver-Brunt over Harmanpreet Kaur 

Mumbai Indians Women (MIW) made bold move and retained Nat Sciver-Brunt as their top retention ahead of Harmanpreet Kaur.

Despite Harmanpreet leading MI to their second WPL title in 2025, Nat Sciver-Brunt's incredible consistency made her the MI's No. 1 pick. It is worth mentioning that she was also the top run-scorer for Mumbai in WPL 2025 (523 runs in 10 matches) at an average of 65.37 with five half-centuries.

(Nat Sciver-Brunt stats in WPL 2025)

Harmanpreet, on the other hand, had a strong season too. She scored 302 runs from 10 matches at an average of 33.35. She also had a solid World Cup campaign with 260 runs in 8 innings at an average of 32.50 and strike-rate of 89.04.

However, as per the latest report, it was Harmanpreet’s own decision to let Sciver-Brunt take the first retention slot. The Indian captain reportedly wanted to prioritise team balance and ensure MI’s core remains strong ahead of the mega auction.

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