Mumbai Indians surprised many by picking England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt as their first retained player, ahead of captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Published: November 6, 2025 11:26 PM IST
Although Mumbai Indians (MI), two-time WPL champions, were always expected to keep players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt, many were surprised that England’s captain was chosen as the first retention pick ahead of India’s captain.
Interestingly, Nat, the seam-bowling all-rounder who won the Player of the Tournament award in WPL 2025, was retained at a higher price (Rs 3.5 crore) than Harmanpreet, whose retention amount is Rs 2.5 crore.
Harmanpreet wants to focus on having a great team for WPL 2026
Sources told IANS that it was Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to make Nat the first player on MI’s retention list. “Harmanpreet wants to focus on having a great team for WPL 2026 and due to this, she decided that Nat would be MI’s first retained player while she’s the second pick for the franchise,” further said sources to IANS.
After Nat and Harmanpreet, MI retained West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, India’s seam-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, and uncapped wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, who impressed everyone in the 2025 season and won the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup this year.
What were the statements of MI co-owner Akash Ambani?
“The retention process is always challenging because you’re making tough calls about extraordinary talent. We are happy about the combination we’ve retained – a captain who leads by example, proven international match-winners and emerging Indian talent.”
“Harman’s ability to get the best out of her teammates is invaluable, and with Nat, Hayley, Amanjot and Kamalini, we have the perfect mix of aggression, skill, and temperament.”
“Mumbai Indians has always been about creating champions, and this new phase is another opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to excellence along with our champions. Every player who has represented Mumbai Indians in the WPL has given their all, and we respect and honor those contributions,” said MI co-owner Akash Ambani.
MI will enter the auction with Rs 5.75 crore remaining and will not have a Right-to-Match (RTM) card because they retained five players. Each team has been given Rs 15 crore to build their squad for the WPL 2026 mega auction, which will take place in New Delhi on November 27.
MI Retained Players: Nat Sciver-Brunt (Rs 3.5 crore), Harmanpreet Kaur (Rs 2.5 crore), Hayley Matthews (Rs 1.75 crore), Amanjot Kaur (Rs 1 crore), G Kamalini (Rs 50 lakh).
MI Released Players: Yastika Bhatia, Sanskriti Gupta, Saika Ishaque, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Jintimani Kalita, Nadine de Klerk, Sathyamoorthy Keerthana, Chloe Tryon, Akshita Maheshwari, Amandeep Kaur, Parunika Sisodia, Sajeevan Sajana, Pooja Vastrakar.
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