Deepti Sharma To Laura Wolvaardt: 10 Shocking Releases Ahead Of WPL 2026 Mega Auctions | Cricket News

11 shocking player release ahead of WPL 2026 mega auctions. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)

A total 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 two top performers in the final of the recently concluded ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 – were not retained by UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants, respectively.

In addition to them, Meg Lanning, who led Delhi Capitals to back-to-back three WPL finals, Amelia Kerr, who is 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 look at the 10 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 in the last three seasons. In 2025, she also led the franchise in the WPL but was only able to win three matches, and the team finished at the bottom of the points table. Deepti is one of the best all-rounders of all time, and in the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2025, she won the Player of the Tournament award.

Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals)

Meg Lanning is the highest run getter in WPL history for Delhi Capitals. In 27 matches, she has amassed a total of 952 runs for the Delhi-based franchise. The former Australian captain, who was signed for Rs 1.10 crore by DC in the first-ever WPL auction, led them to three 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 in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The right-handed batter from Cape Town has played 13 matches in the Women’s Premier League for Gujarat Giants and scored 342 runs.

Amelia Kerr (Mumbai Indians)

New 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 so far. In addition to her bowling, Amelia has impressed with her batting too and has scored 437 runs.

Alyssa Healy (UP Warriorz)

Australian captain Alyssa Healy has played 17 matches in the WPL for UP Warriorz and has scored 428 runs. She missed the 2025 edition of the WPL due to 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 so far. 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. In the WPL, she played the last three seasons for RCB after joining them for Rs 1.50 crore in 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)

New Zealand legend Sophie Devine was signed for Rs 50 lakh in the first-ever WPL auction. Devine, who is one of the greatest cricketers of all time, played 18 matches for RCB in WPL and scored 402 runs in addition to taking 9 wickets.

Jess Jonassen (Delhi Capitals)

Jess Jonassen has played 24 matches in the WPL for Delhi Capitals and scored 295 runs in addition to getting the better of 33 batters. She is Delhi’s highest wicket-taker in the Women’s Premier League history and overall fourth in the list of bowlers with the most wickets.

Grace Harris (UP Warriorz)

Australian all-rounder Grace Harris has scored 581 runs in 22 matches of WPL for UP Warriorz in addition to taking 13 wickets. Harris is the highest run-getter in the WPL history for the Lucknow-based franchise.