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Mumbai Indians release G Kamalini and six others as WPL 2027 squads reshuffle
Two‑time champions Mumbai Indians have cut ties with wicket‑keeper‑batter G Kamalini and five other players ahead of the 2027 Women’s Premier League. The moves come after a disappointing 2026 campaign and the appointment of new head coach Luke Williams, while other franchises also trimmed their rosters ahead of the October auction.
By Chandrupatla chanakya ·
What happened
Two‑time champions Mumbai Indians have cut ties with wicket‑keeper‑batter G Kamalini and five other players ahead of the 2027 Women’s Premier League. The moves come after a disappointing 2026 campaign and the appointment of new head coach Luke Williams, while other franchises also trimmed their rosters ahead of the October auction. Mumbai Indians and several other WPL franchises have released multiple players ahead of the 2027 auction to rebuild after a disappointing 2026 season.
TL;DR
Mumbai Indians and several other WPL franchises have released multiple players ahead of the 2027 auction to rebuild after a disappointing 2026 season.
Key points
- MI released seven players, including star wicket‑keeper G Kamalini, after missing the 2026 playoffs
- RCB let go of Grace Harris and three others, citing Ellyse Perry’s availability
- DC, UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants also trimmed their squads, each releasing six or more players
- The WPL auction is set for 2026‑10‑28 in Kochi, with squads limited to 18 players
- The 2027 WPL will run from 14 January to 7 February, venues still to be announced
New Delhi – Mumbai Indians (MI), the two‑time WPL champions, announced a sweeping overhaul of their playing group on the eve of the 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction. The franchise released seven players, most notably promising wicket‑keeper‑batter G Kamalini, who had just returned from an Asia Cup triumph and an Asian Games gold medal with India in Japan. The other departures were Australian fast bowler Milly Illingworth, Indian left‑arm spinner Saika Ishaque, and uncapped domestic talents Kranthi Reddy, Poonam Khemnar and Triveni Vasistha.
MI’s restructuring follows a season‑ending miss of the 2026 playoffs, prompting the board to appoint former England coach Luke Williams as head coach. Williams is expected to rebuild a side capable of reclaiming the title, and the player releases free up slots for new signings at the upcoming auction.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also trimmed their squad, letting go of Australia’s power‑hitting all‑rounder Grace Harris, England left‑arm spinner Linsey Smith, and domestic players Dayalan Hemalatha and Gautami Naik. RCB’s head coach Malolan Rangarajan hinted that the availability of Ellyse Perry for 2027 may have influenced the decision to release Harris.
Four‑time runners‑up Delhi Capitals (DC) released six players, including South Africa opener Lizelle Lee, Australian leg‑spinner Alana King (who had been a replacement for Annabel Sutherland), and seasoned Indian all‑rounder Sneh Rana, along with wicket‑keeper‑batter Taniyaa Bhatia, Pragati Singh and Srujana Eddla.
UP Warriorz, after two consecutive bottom‑place finishes, executed a massive overhaul, parting ways with international stars Deandra Dottin, Chloe Tryon and Amy Jones, as well as India leg‑spinner Asha Sobhana, and batters Shweta Sehrawat and Kiran Navgire.
Gujarat Giants released England batter Danni Wyatt‑Hodge, young Indian pacer Titas Sadhu – sidelined by a hand injury sustained in WPL 2026 – and domestic prospects Aayushi Soni and Shivani Singh.
All five franchises will convene at the Grand Hyatt in Kochi on 2026‑10‑28 for the player auction, where each side can field a maximum of 18 players. The fifth edition of the WPL is scheduled for 2027‑01‑14 to 2027‑02‑07, with venues yet to be confirmed.
The extensive player turnover underscores a broader trend in the league: franchises are leveraging the off‑season to recalibrate strategies, address performance gaps from 2026, and capitalize on the availability of marquee talent such as Ellyse Perry ahead of the 2027 campaign.