TATA WPL 2026 is already creating a buzz, and fans can’t wait for the upcoming season. As teams gear up for the mega auction, they are busy finalising their retention strategies to build a solid team. Recently, JioStar experts Mithali Raj, Veda Krishnamurthy, and Saba Karim discussed crucial retention decisions on JioHotstar’s TATA WPL ‘Retention Preview’.
Mithali Raj, the celebrated former Indian cricket captain, shared her thoughts on which players Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) should hold onto. According to her, Ellyse Perry is a must-retain. “She has consistently proven to be a match-winner with both bat and ball,” Mithali emphasized. Along with Perry, she suggested that Georgia Wareham, known for her valuable leg-spin and hitting abilities, should also be on RCB’s retention list. While Kim Garth and Sophie Molineux are great options, Perry and Wareham seem to be the front-runners.
When it comes to Indian players, Mithali was clear that Smriti Mandhana must be retained without question. She also highlighted the importance of Richa Ghosh, RCB’s wicketkeeper-batter, saying, “Richa has shown immense potential and can change matches.” For the third retention spot, Mithali suggested considering Sneh Rana, who has performed well when given the chance. Another option could be Kanika Ahuja, who provides balance with her left-handed batting in the lower order. Uncapped player VJ Joshita, who impressed during her outings, is also worth keeping in mind.
Switching gears, the discussion moved to the Mumbai Indians. Mithali pointed out that they are faced with tough choices regarding their overseas players. Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, and Hayley Matthews are all extraordinary match-winners. As for Indian players, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Amanjot Kaur stand out as solid picks. Mithali was particularly impressed by uncapped player Gunalan Kamalini, who displayed remarkable power-hitting abilities.
The conversation then turned to the UP Warriorz, with Mithali noting their overseas choices. Georgia Voll, Sophie Ecclestone, and Georgia Wareham are all key players who could add significant value. Among Indian players, Deepti Sharma’s all-round skills are invaluable, while Kiran Navgire has been consistent in scoring runs. “These players form a strong core that UP Warriorz should definitely retain,” she advised.
Saba Karim shared insights on Mumbai Indian’s strategy, believing they should utilize all their retention slots. He emphasized retaining captain Harmanpreet Kaur and noted the great value that Yastika Bhatia, a top-order keeper-batter, brings to the squad. For overseas players, Karim recommended Nat Sciver-Brunt and Chloe Tryon due to their all-round contributions. He also highlighted uncapped player Gunalan Kamalini as a worthy investment.
Veda Krishnamurthy turned the spotlight on Delhi Capitals, urging the management to consider long-term captaincy options. While Meg Lanning has been an exceptional leader, at 33, it’s time to think about nurturing a future Indian captain. Players like Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues are straightforward choices for retention. She also mentioned the importance of keeping Annabel Sutherland for future investments and noted Niki Prasad as an exciting uncapped talent.
Now, back to RCB, where the retention decisions can be quite challenging. They face the dilemma of whether to keep three Indian players or trim it down to two. Smriti Mandhana tops their list, but Richa Ghosh and Ellyse Perry also deserve retention for their outstanding roles. The team needs to weigh these options carefully, taking Nadine de Klerk’s strong World Cup performance into account, adding complexity to their choices. Uncapped emerging talent, Prema Rawat, has shown promise, indicating a bright future ahead.
Finally, Mithali rounded off the discussion with the Gujarat Giants. It’s clear they plan to stick with Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney among their overseas players. Indian players Bharati Fulmali and young all-rounder Kashvee Gautam should be prioritized as retaining them is crucial. They might only opt for four retentions to keep their options open during the auction, though Shabnam Shakil’s presence as an uncapped player adds an interesting dynamic.
In the end, the TATA WPL 2026 season is set to be an exciting one, with teams making tough yet strategic decisions. Each franchise must carefully choose their stars to create a winning lineup.
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Original Text – https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/rcb-should-retain-ellyse-perry-along-with-smriti-mandhana-and-richa-ghosh-mithali-raj-1915032