Mumbai Indians Retained Players WPL 2026:

The Mumbai Indians (MI) have officially unveiled their retained players list for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season, marking the start of their preparations to defend the championship crown. Led by the inspirational Harmanpreet Kaur, the franchise has once again prioritized experience, leadership, and consistency while deciding their core squad ahead of the WPL 2026 Mega Auction.

The two-time champions (2023 & 2025) have been the most consistent team in the tournament’s short yet impactful history. With a balanced combination of global stars and young domestic talents, the Mumbai Indians are determined to maintain their dominance in women’s franchise cricket.

Harmanpreet Kaur to Continue as MI Captain

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remains at the heart of Mumbai Indians’ plans for the 2026 season. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping MI into a winning unit from clinching the inaugural WPL title in 2023 to repeating the feat in 2025.

Known for her calm demeanor and clutch performances under pressure, Harmanpreet has not only led from the front but also created a culture of resilience and confidence within the dressing room.

With two titles already under her belt, she now sets her sights on completing a historic WPL hat-trick in 2026.

Three International Captains Retained: Sciver-Brunt, Matthews & Kaur

Mumbai Indians’ decision to retain three international captains Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England), and Hayley Matthews (West Indies) reflects their commitment to retaining their world-class core.

Nat Sciver-Brunt: The Run Machine of WPL

England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt has been nothing short of sensational. She currently holds the record as the highest run-scorer in WPL history, being the only player to surpass 1000 career runs in the tournament. Her all-round brilliance makes her an invaluable asset for MI both as a consistent top-order batter and a reliable medium-pace option.

Hayley Matthews: WPL’s Leading Wicket-Taker

West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews continues to be a game-changer for Mumbai Indians. Apart from being the highest wicket-taker in WPL history, Matthews has often provided explosive starts as an opener alongside Sciver-Brunt. Her dual role as a bowling spearhead and top-order aggressor gives MI unmatched balance.

Emerging Indian Stars Retained

Alongside their international mainstays, the franchise has shown faith in domestic talents like Amanjot Kaur and Gunalan Kamalini.

• Amanjot Kaur, known for her versatility as an all-rounder, played a crucial role in MI’s middle order and is seen as one of the bright prospects for Indian cricket.
• Gunalan Kamalini, the uncapped batter, impressed the management with her fearless stroke play and adaptability under pressure.

These two players represent MI’s long-term vision blending youth with experience to ensure sustained success.

Mumbai Indians WPL 2026 Retained Players List

Total Retained Amount: ₹9.25 Crore
Remaining Purse for Auction: ₹5.75 Crore
RTMs Available: 0

Players Released by Mumbai Indians Ahead of WPL 2026

The defending champions made some tough calls, releasing several key names to create space for new signings at the mega auction.

Released Players:
Yastika Bhatia, Amandeep Kaur, Chloe Tryon, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Saika Ishaque, Jintimani Kalita, Sathyamoorthy Keerthana, Akshita Maheshwari, Parunika Sisodia, Pooja Vastrakar, Amelia Kerr, Nadine de Klerk, Shabnim Ismail.

Notably, the release of Amelia Kerr and Pooja Vastrakar comes as a surprise, considering their contributions in previous seasons. However, the move could be part of MI’s broader strategy to rebuild and introduce fresh overseas talent in 2026.

WPL 2026 Retention Rules Explained

As per BCCI’s official guidelines, each team in the WPL can retain a maximum of five players before the auction:

• Up to three Indian capped players
• Up to two overseas players or two uncapped Indian players

If a franchise uses the full quota of five retentions, they must include at least one uncapped player, and ₹9.25 crore is deducted from their total purse. Teams using all five retentions are not eligible for Right-to-Match (RTM) cards during the auction.

Mumbai Indians’ Road to WPL 2026

With their championship-winning core intact, Mumbai Indians are heading into WPL 2026 as strong favourites once again. The trio of Harmanpreet, Sciver-Brunt, and Matthews forms arguably the most powerful leadership group in franchise cricket.

The management’s smart retentions and clear strategy underline their intent to continue their dynastic dominance in the league. Fans can expect the franchise to target young pace bowlers and finishing all-rounders at the upcoming auction to fill the released slots.

Also Read: RCB WPL 2026 Retention List Revealed! Ellyse Perry, Smriti Mandhana Stay as Big Names Released