The stage is set for the 2024 season of the Women's Premier League (WPL), and the team dynamics are taking shape as franchises make crucial decisions about player retention and releases. Right ahead of the cricket extravaganza, Gujarat Giants have opted for a significant overhaul, parting ways with 11 players, while Delhi Capitals, the runner-up of the inaugural edition, have chosen to retain the majority of their squad to maintain stability.
A total of 60 players, including 21 overseas cricketers, have been retained across five franchises, demonstrating the teams' commitment to building a competitive roster. However, 29 players have been released from their existing squads, creating opportunities for new talent to emerge.
While the majority of marquee players have been retained by their respective franchises, a few international stars, such as Annabel Sutherland and Megan Schutt, have been released, signaling a shift in team strategies and priorities.
Gujarat Giants, who had a challenging inaugural season in the WPL, have have retained only eight players, including Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Laura Wolvaardt, Shabnam Shakil, Sneh Rana, and Tanuja Kanwer. This strategic move has provided the Adani Sportsline-owned team with the highest available purse of Rs 5.95 crore, allowing them to be proactive in the upcoming player auction.
In contrast, defending champions Mumbai Indians have chosen to maintain the core of their championship-winning squad, releasing only four players: Dhara Gujjar, Heather Graham, Neelam Bisht, and Sonam Yadav. This decision reflects their commitment to continuity and their belief in the existing talent pool.
Following the conclusion of the inaugural edition of the WPL in March, all franchises conducted trials and off-season camps to assess talent, physical condition, and skills. Delhi Capitals' assistant coach Hemlata Kala shared insights into their preparation, saying, "The franchise organized a couple of off-season camps over the last few months, which has allowed us as a coaching group to have a look at the available talent, and also assess the physical condition and skills of our existing players. We're hoping for a successful auction going into the new season."
For many franchises, the primary focus has been on retaining their core players while exploring new options to strengthen their squads. UP Warriorz, for example, after an extensive camp in Bengaluru in August, chose to release only four players and continue with their core team. Their coach expressed excitement about retaining the players who had contributed to their playoff run in the previous WPL season.
As anticipation builds for the Women's Premier League 2024, it is expected to take place in the February-March window next year.
Here are the squads:
Delhi Capitals (DC)
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)
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)
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)
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: Dane Van Niekerk*, Erin Burns*, Komal Zanzad, Megan Schutt*, Poonam Khemnar, Preeti Bose, Sahana Pawar
UP Warriorz (UPW)
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*
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