Five WPL franchises retain 63 players ahead of October 28 auction
Five WPL teams kept 63 players ahead of the October 28 auction in Kochi.
Five Women's Premier League franchises retained 63 players, including 23 overseas recruits, before Monday's deadline. Gujarat Giants kept the most with 20 players, while UP Warriorz held on to 15 and enter the auction with INR 3.65 crore, the largest purse. Twenty-seven spots remain, seven of them overseas.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru released Grace Harris, D Hemalatha, Gautami Naik and Linsey Smith while retaining 13 players. Ellyse Perry returns to the defending champions after missing the 2026 title-winning campaign for personal reasons. Delhi Capitals released Alana King, Sneh Rana and Lizelle Lee among six players. Mumbai Indians let go of G Kamalini and Saika Ishaque, and Gujarat Giants cut Danielle Wyatt-Hodge.
The auction takes place in Kochi on October 28. The 2027 season begins on January 14.
CricHubb Take
UP Warriorz now hold the biggest budget but the fewest core players, so their auction strategy will decide whether they can finally compete or fall further behind the established sides.