WPL 2027 retention: Mumbai Indians shock release of Asian Games gold medalist

Mumbai Indians released G Kamalini ahead of the WPL 2027 auction in a surprise decision involving one of India’s up-and-coming young cricketers. The 18-year-old wicketkeeper was part of India’s gold medal-winning campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, just days before MI announced their roster.

Kamalini was part of the Indian team that beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s T20 final on 22 September. India posted 216 for 3 with Smriti Mandhana scoring 79, Shafali Verma making 48 and Richa Ghosh smashing an unbeaten 49 before Kamka got a chance to BATRI in Sri 69 Lan. final, but he was part of the golden Indian team.

The Asian Games gold added another major success to Kamalini’s fast-growing career. She made WPL history by becoming the youngest player to debut in the competition. Kamalini made her debut against Gujarat Giants in February 2025 at the age of 16 years and 213 days, breaking the previous record held by Shabnam Shakil.

Kamalini’s rise continued when she earned her senior call-up to India in December 2025 and subsequently made her international debut. She was earlier a key member of India’s Under-19 Women’s World Cup winning team and also played in the Under-19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan.

MAJOR PLAYERS RELEASED FRANCHISE

Kamalini is among several notable names to be announced ahead of the auction. MI also dropped Saika Ishaque, Triveni Vasistha, Milly Illingworth, Kranthi Reddy and Poonam Khemnar.

Delhi Capitals released Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee and Alana King, while Gujarat Giants brought in Danni Wyatt-Hodge and fast bowler Titas Sadhu from England. Royal Challengers Bengaluru released Australian all-rounder Grace Harris and England’s Linsey Smith along with Dayalan Hemalatha and Gautami Naik.

UP Warriorz, meanwhile, fielded experienced names including West Indies veteran Deandra Dottin, England wicketkeeper Amy Jones and South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon, as well as Indian players Asha Sobhana, Kiran Navgire and Shweta Sehrawat.

WPL 2027 auction will be held on October 28 in Kochi, the fifth season is scheduled to start on January 14, 2027. The tournament is scheduled to last until February 7.

WPL 2027: Retention and release of players

Capital Delhi

Preserved: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani, Niki Prasad, Sree Charani, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandni Sharma, Deeya Yadav

ReleasedStarring: Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Alana King, Taniyaa Bhatia, Pragati Singh, Eddla Srujana

Gujarat Giants

Preserved: Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Yastika Bhatia, Anushka Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Happy Kumari, Jintimani Kumari

ReleasedCast: Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Ayushi Soni, Titas Sadhu, Shivani Singh

Bombay Indians

Preserved: Harmanpreet Kaur, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Nicola Carey, Shabnim Ismail, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Rahila Firdous, Vaishnavi Sharma

Released: G Kamalini, Saika Ishaque, Triveni Vasistha, Milly Illingworth, Kranthi Reddy, Poonam Khemnar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Preserved: Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Voll, Lauren Bell, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Prema Rawat, Prathyoosha Kumar

ReleasedCast: Grace Harris, Linsey Smith, Dayalan Hemalatha, Gautami Naik

UP Warriorz

Preserved: Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Tara Norris, Harleen Deol, Shikha Pandey, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud, Simran Shaikh, Shipra Giri

ReleasedStarring: Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Kiran Navgire, Shweta Sehrawat, Amy Jones, Chloe Tryon

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