WPL franchises make significant roster changes as they release key players ahead of the 2025 auction, signaling strategic shifts and increased competition.
As the Women’s Premier League gears up for its next auction in December 2024, franchises are making bold decisions regarding their player rosters. With the auction purse increased from INR 13.5 crore to INR 15 crore, teams are strategically evaluating their line-ups to enhance their competitiveness for the upcoming season in 2025. Among the significant changes, numerous prominent players have been released by their respective teams, signaling shifts in strategy and performance assessments.
The Delhi Capitals, who have been runners-up in both seasons of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), have made notable releases. One of the most prominent names is leg-spinner Poonam Yadav, who has been an integral part of the Indian setup in the past but hasn’t featured in international cricket since March 2022, and did not play in the previous WPL season. Alongside Poonam, the Capitals have also released Australian Laura Harris along with Indian uncapped players Aparna Mondal and Ashwini Kumari, who did not see any game time last year. The core retained by Delhi Capitals includes established stars like Meg Lanning, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Shafali Verma, reflecting their strategy to build around experienced players. With a remaining purse of INR 2.5 crore and four slots available, Delhi will be looking to make impactful purchases during the auction.
The Gujarat Giants, struggling at the bottom of the table across both seasons, have opted for a major overhaul by releasing key players including captain Sneh Rana, who led the team in the inaugural season. Alongside Rana, they released seasoned players like Lea Tahuhu and Kathryn Bryce. Rana’s performance has been underwhelming, with just six wickets from 12 matches across two seasons and a disappointing batting average of 6.71. Additionally, the release of Lauren Cheatle, Mannat Kashyap, Veda Krishnamurthy, and Tarannum Pathan reflects a drive to rejuvenate the squad. The Giants now have the largest purse of INR 4.4 crore to reshape their team in the impending auction, with four slots still available.
The Mumbai Indians continue to maintain a robust team dynamic by retaining their key overseas and Indian players, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur and important players like Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews. The only overseas player released was England’s Issy Wong, alongside Indian players Fatima Jaffer, Humaira Kazi, and Priyanka Bala. With a remaining purse of INR 2.65 crore and the potential to fill four slots, Mumbai Indians are expected to target strategic signings that can add depth to their already strong lineup.
The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have undergone significant changes as well. The team parted ways with England’s Heather Knight, who withdrew from the previous season due to international commitments. This decision aligns with their strategy to optimize performance while releasing six additional players, including South African allrounder Nadine de Klerk, Shubha Satheesh, and others. Key retained players such as Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry will continue to anchor the team. With a remaining purse of INR 3.25 crore, and four slots left, the RCB is in a position to attract new talent to bolster their lineup heading into the next season.
The UP Warriorz also made decisive changes, having finished fourth in the previous season after a playoff appearance in the inaugural year. The team released leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra, wicketkeeper Laxmi Yadav, seamer S Yashasri, and England’s Lauren Bell. The Warriorz retained a solid core of players such as Alyssa Healy and Deepti Sharma, suggesting a focus on keeping proven performers while seeking new acquisitions to improve their standing. They have a remaining purse of INR 3.90 crore with three slots available, allowing them room to make impactful signings at the auction.
Collectively, the recent roster adjustments indicate a competitive atmosphere as teams prepare for the upcoming auction. Each franchise aims to refine their squads to not just address previous shortcomings but also to leverage their spending capabilities effectively. As teams navigate their roster strategies, the Women’s Premier League remains a focal point of women’s cricket development, showcasing growing talent and exciting prospects for fans in India and beyond.
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