NEWS
Follow UsAhead of the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL), the five franchises have announced the retained players list, with 60 players, including 21 overseas players being retained. However, shockingly enough, the retention lists did not have space for the likes of Shabnim Ismail, Megan Schutt, Sophia Dunkley and Annabel Sutherland, who all have been released by their respective franchises.
Gujarat Giants, in particular, have only retained eight players after finishing the inaugural season at the bottom of the table. 29 players were released in total by the franchises, with Delhi Capitals releasing only three players, including United States of America’s Tara Norris, who was one of the key pieces of the Delhi puzzle in the 2023 season.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals, who finished runners-up in the inaugural edition after losing in the final against Mumbai Indians, have retained most of their unit for the upcoming season. However, they have decided to let go of the swashbuckling batter, Jasia Akhter and wicketkeeper-batter Aparna Mondal.
Tara Norris, who was bought at the 2023 WPL Auction for INR 10 lakhs has also been released by the franchise. Norris ended the season with seven wickets for the Capitals.
Retained Players: Alice Capsey*, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen*, Laura Harris*, Marizanne Kapp*, Meg Lanning*, Minnu Mani, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Taniyaa Bhatia, Titas Sadhu
Released Players: Aparna Mondal, Jasia Akhter, Tara Norris*
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Gujarat, who finished at the bottom of the table, have let go of eleven players, including the Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland and Kim Garth. The franchise have also not decided to retain the services of the leg-spinner Georgia Wareham or England’s reliable all-rounder Sophia Dunkley.
The franchise also did not show faith in the likes of Hurley Gala, Monica Patel, Sabbineni Meghana and Mansi Joshi. However, on the flip side, they have decided to retain the core of the team, in Ashleigh Garner, Beth Mooney, Sneh Rana and Harleen Deol.
Retained Players: Ashleigh Gardner*, Beth Mooney*, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Laura Wolvaardt*, Shabnam Shakil, Sneh Rana, Tanuja Kanwer
Released Players: Annabel Sutherland*, Ashwani Kumari, Georgia Wareham*, Hurley Gala, Kim Garth*, Mansi Joshi, Monica Patel, Parunika Sisodia, Sabbineni Meghana, Sophia Dunkley*, Sushma Verma
Mumbai Indians (MI)
The winners of the inaugural edition of the WPL, Mumbai Indians, have kept most of their team from the previous season intact. However, Dhara Gujjar, Neelam Bisht and Sonam Yadav have been released by the franchise.
Mumbai have also not shown faith in Heather Graham, with the Australian pacer now having to find a home elsewhere in the league.
Retained Players: Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr*, Chloe Tryon*, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews*, Humairaa Kaazi, Isabelle Wong*, Jintimani Kalita, Natalie Sciver*, Pooja Vastrakar, Priyanka Bala, Saika Ishaque, Yastika Bhatia
Released Players: Dhara Gujjar, Heather Graham*, Neelam Bisht, Sonam Yadav
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
On the back of a disastrous debut season, Royal Challengers Bangalore have already rung up several changes to their outfit, including appointing Luke Williams as their new head coach. On the lines of retention, the franchise have shown faith in most of the core members from the inaugural edition.
However, South Africa’s Dane Van Niekerk, Australia’s all-time great pacer Megan Schutt and fellow country-mate Erin Burns have all been released.
Retained Players: Asha Shobana, Disha Kasat, Ellyse Perry*, Heather Knight*, Indrani Roy, Kanika Ahuja, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine*
Released Players: Dané Van Niekerk*, Erin Burns*, Komal Zanzad, Megan Schutt*, Poonam Khemnar, Preeti Bose, Sahana Pawar
UP Warriorz (UPW)
UP Warriorz were one of the rare teams in last year’s WPL who had shown great faith and trust in the local talent pool. While they were left frustrated towards the end of the tournament, they had several displays from the local talents that have kept them in good stead.
Shockingly, though, the franchise have not continued with experience, letting go of the leg-spinning all-rounder Devika Vaidya alongside one of the greats of the women’s game, Shabnim Ismail.
Retained Players: Alyssa Healy*, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris*, Kiran Navgire, Lauren Bell*, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, S. Yashasri, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone*, Tahlia Mcgrath*
Released Players: Devika Vaidya, Shabnim Ismail*, Shivali Shinde, Simran Shaikh
