#WPL 2025 Auction/sbkinews.in
In a surprising turn of events, South Africa’s prolific batter Laura Wolvaardt and India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma have been released by their respective franchises ahead of the much-anticipated 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction. The development comes just weeks after both cricketers delivered standout performances in the Women’s ODI World Cup, showcasing their world-class skills on the global stage.
Wolvaardt, who led South Africa’s batting charge throughout the World Cup, has been released by the Gujarat Giants but is expected to attract several bids during the auction. On the other hand, the UP Warriors decided not to retain Deepti Sharma, despite her instrumental role in India’s World Cup-winning campaign. This move has stirred discussions within the cricket fraternity, as fans and analysts question the team’s strategy in letting go of such an impactful player.
WPL 2025 Retention List Announced
All five WPL franchises have now released their retention lists ahead of the upcoming season. The retention announcements have revealed a few surprises, including the exclusion of key players who were crucial in previous editions. According to sources close to the league, the WPL 2025 auction could take place either later this month or in early December, though the official date remains unconfirmed.
Here’s the complete list of retained players by the five franchises:
Mumbai Indians: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, Kamalini S.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil.
Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney.
UP Warriors: Shweta Sehrawat.
Delhi Capitals: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad.
The lists make it evident that franchises are reshaping their strategies, focusing on new combinations ahead of the third WPL edition. Star performers like Wolvaardt and Deepti are now set to become two of the most sought-after names in the upcoming auction pool.
Stellar World Cup Performances
Laura Wolvaardt had a dream run in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top run-scorer. Her consistent batting, composed leadership, and capability to anchor innings steered South Africa to their first-ever appearance in a World Cup final. Although South Africa narrowly missed the title, Wolvaardt’s batting brilliance earned her immense praise from across the cricket world.
Deepti Sharma, meanwhile, was India’s backbone throughout the World Cup. Her exceptional all-round performances contributed significantly to India’s maiden championship victory. She excelled both with the ball and the bat, finishing the tournament with multiple match-winning spells, including her decisive performance in the final. Her consistency and mental toughness under pressure earned her the ‘Player of the Tournament’ title, adding another accolade to her impressive international career.
Team Strategies Ahead of WPL 2025
The decision to release both star players underlines the strategic reshuffling happening across franchises. Teams are now prioritizing balance, depth, and budget optimization for the upcoming auction. By releasing top-tier players, the franchises aim to free up purse value and potentially re-sign the same players at lower costs or invest in emerging domestic talents.
Cricket analysts believe that both Wolvaardt and Deepti could command significant interest from multiple franchises due to their current form and international stature. With Deepti’s proven all-round ability and Wolvaardt’s unmatched reliability at the top order, their presence could provide stability and firepower to any side.
Moreover, the release decisions are also reflective of a larger trend in franchise cricket, where dynamic team restructuring before auctions has become standard practice. This allows teams greater flexibility during player bidding, ensuring they can adapt to shifting form and emerging young prospects.
Fans React to the Unexpected Releases
The news of the releases has triggered a wave of reactions on social media. Fans expressed both surprise and excitement at the prospect of seeing new team combinations. Many Indian supporters voiced disappointment over UP Warriors not retaining Deepti Sharma, considering her critical role in India’s recent World Cup success. Meanwhile, Gujarat Giants fans shared mixed feelings, appreciating Wolvaardt’s contributions but anticipating new overseas signings to strengthen their top order.
WPL 2025 promises to bring renewed enthusiasm and high-voltage competition, as star cricketers prepare to go under the hammer once again. With both Deepti and Wolvaardt entering the auction pool, bidding battles are expected to be fierce, attracting record numbers from franchises eager to build championship-contending squads.
As anticipation builds, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the official auction date announcement. The WPL continues to redefine the landscape of women’s cricket, offering global players an elite platform and fans an ever-expanding spectacle of talent and determination.
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