anticipation of Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Mega auction picks up pace after India’s historic ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 victory under the captaincy Harmanpreet KaurThe win on November 2 shined an unprecedented spotlight on the domestic pools, validating the impact of the WPL.
Franchises are now well aware of the winning mentality and ability to handle pressure of Indian players, which is increasing their value. There will also be tough competition from international stars who have played important roles in the World Cup. With a retention deadline of 5 November, this auction is now seen as an immediate financial and competitive extension of the World Cup success. The focus is now not just on talent but on the temperament proven in title-winning moments.
Mumbai Indians’ WPL journey under Harmanpreet Kaur (2023-2025)
Mumbai Indians (MI) They have established themselves as the most successful franchise in the short history of the Women’s Premier League, building an instant dynasty. In the inaugural 2023 season, MI showed their dominance with a five-match unbeaten run to start the tournament. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet they reached the finals and won the WPL title for the first time by defeating Delhi CapitalsTheir leading foreign all-rounder, hayley matthewSWas exceptional, winning both the Purple Cap and the inaugural Most Valuable Player award.
MI faced more competition in the 2024 season but still maintained a strong position and eventually reached the eliminator round. However, his title defense was ended in a close contest. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)Who won the trophy.
In the WPL 2025 season, MI bounced back to claim their second WPL trophy in three years. Nat Sciver-Brunt And amelia kerr Was exceptional, dominating the batting and bowling charts. The season culminated in an epic final, a repeat of the 2023 encounter against Delhi, with MI emerging victorious by a slim margin of eight runs. This performance cemented MI’s reputation for building a stable core and mastering crucial knockout stages.
WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians (MI) may retain 5 players before the Women’s Premier League mega auction
1. Harmanpreet Kaur (Capped Indian Batsman/Captain)
Harmanpreet is basically a non-negotiable retention for Mumbai Indians. He is an established leader who has led the franchise to two WPL titles while instilling a winning culture in the team right from the beginning. His value goes beyond statistics; He is the emotional fulcrum and most reliable Indian batting presence in the crucial middle overs. As the Indian national captain, especially after the World Cup 2025 victory, he has maintained leadership stability, tremendous fan appeal and his unique ability to perform under high-stakes pressure.
2. Nat Sciver-Brunt (Overseas all-rounder)
Nat Sciver-Brunt Arguably the most influential foreign player in the league and the engine room of MI’s strategy. His world-class all-round performances, including being a WPL 2025 Orange Cap winner (with more than 500 runs) and a vital fast-bowling option – should keep him in a full-back. He is an anchor with the bat who can accelerate aggressively and provide vital overs of pace. Securing him ensures that MI remains a top-class match-winner who provides consistency in all phases of the T20 game.
Also read: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appoints new bowling coach ahead of WPL 2026
3. Amelia Kerr (Overseas all-rounder)
amelia kerr This is the second essential foreign retention, strengthening MI’s powerful all-rounder core. She finished as the joint Purple Cap winner in the WPL 2025, showcasing her unmatched ability to control the middle overs with her leg-spin while maintaining an excellent economy. Additionally, his ability to strike quickly down the order provides vital balance. Given the extent of the two overseas retentions, his dual high-impact skills are prioritized, as he is a young, long-term asset who dominates with both bat and ball.
4. Amanjot Kaur (capped Indian all-rounder)
Amanjot Kaur The capped Indian represents a strategically valuable retention as the all-rounderRShe is a reliable right-arm medium pace bowler and an explosive lower-order batsman who has gained significant experience with the national team, including being part of the World Cup squad. Retaining him ensures that MI retain a highly competitive Indian utility player who provides fast-bowling depth and power-hitting, filling a key capped Indian slot as well as providing valuable flexibility and balance to the playing eleven.
5. G Kamalini (Uncapped Indian batsman/wicketkeeper)
Yes Kamalini There is a necessary strategic retention in the form of a designated uncapped Indian player, a slot that will need to be filled if MI retain five players. A sensational young talent, she was the youngest player to make her WPL debut and showcased her potential and fetched a high price (Rs 1.6 crore) in the 2025 auction. Retaining him secures a high-potential, low-cost asset (minimum retention price for uncapped players is Rs 50 lakh) who possesses explosive left-handed batting ability and domestic wicket-keeping utility. His retention preserves valuable purse space and fills a key structural need for the future of the squad.
Mumbai Indians likely to retain 5 players ahead of WPL 2026 auction
| hole | player | Role | capped position | Key WPL 2025 performances | plea |
| 1. | Harmanpreet Kaur | batter | shadowed indian | 302 runs in 10 matches (5th highest scorer), 8 fifties (joint highest). | Captaincy and main batsman: The indispensable leader and architect of the Indian batting order. A non-negotiable retention to maintain MI’s culture and success. |
| 2. | Nat Sciver-Brunt | all-rounder | migrant | 523 runs (Orange Cap Winner – Most runs in WPL 2025), and 12 wickets. | MVP All-Rounder: Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. He is the engine room of both the batting and pace attack and plays a vital role in MI’s overseas retention. |
| 3. | amelia kerr | all-rounder | migrant | 18 wickets (Joint Purple Cap winner – Most wickets in WPL 2025), and 147 runs. | World class leg-spin and hitting: A high-impact player who dominates the ball in the middle overs and provides vital hitting lower down the order. Completes the two-overseas quota and forms an elite all-rounder trio with Kaur and Sciver-Brunt. |
| 4. | Yes Kamalini | WK-batsman | untapped indian | Youngest WPL Debutant (WPL 2025). The high-potential domestic star was bought for ₹1.6 crore in the WPL 2025 auction. | Untapped High Potential: Meets the mandatory uncapped Indian retention slots (five required for retention). His youth, explosive batting ability and wicketkeeping options make him a future investment. |
| 5. | Amanjot Kaur | all-rounder | untapped indian | 14 T20I appearances (to November 2025), has shown ability with the bat, has won Emerging Player of the Season In WPL 2025. | High Capacity: An Indian all-rounder who bowls right-handed medium and bats right-handed. Their selection is based on high potential, youthful energy and meeting the mandatory second Indian retention slot |
Also read: WPL Mega Auction: Player retention, RTM rules, purse details and everything you need to know
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.