"I am still not able to figure out the reason why you didn't retain her" - Reema Malhotra surprised by Gujarat Giants' decision to release Sneh Rana
Reema Malhotra has expressed surprise about the Gujarat Giants' (GG) decision to release Sneh Rana ahead of the WPL 2025 auction. She pointed out that the spin-bowling all-rounder is a formidable player who captained the franchise in Beth Mooney's injury-enforced absence in the first season of the tournament.
The WPL franchises disclosed their retentions on Thursday, November 7. Apart from Rana, the Giants released Kathryn Bryce, Trisha Poojitha, Veda Krishnamurthy, Tarannum Pathan and Lea Tahuhu.
During a discussion on Sports18, Malhotra was asked about her thoughts on the Gujarat Giants' retentions and releases.
"It's an extremely surprising decision that you released Sneh Rana because she was leading the team when the captain Beth Mooney was injured. You won't get an off-spinner all-rounder, middle-order bat, better than her at the moment in domestic cricket," she responded.
"She will definitely come in the mini-auction and be sold for an even better price. I am still not able to figure out the reason why you didn't retain her because you have kept Kashvee Gautam in the retained list. You had bought her for ₹2 crore last time and she remained injured the entire season," the former India all-rounder added.
Malhotra opined that the Gujarat Giants should have potentially retained Sneh Rana ahead of Kashvee Gautam.
"She (Gautam) doesn't have any outstanding performance even this season in domestic cricket. I believe there is nothing right or wrong in cricket, everyone has their opinion, but according to me, Sneh Rana is the name that should have been in the retained list," she reasoned.
Rana played four matches for the Giants in WPL 2024, aggregating 13 runs in three innings and going wicketless in 10.2 overs. Gautam was ruled out of the season due to an injury and was replaced by Sayali Satghare in the GG squad.
"The Gujarat Giants will realize that you should played her in the last season" - Reema Malhotra on Priya Mishra
![Priya Mishra made her India debut in the recent ODI series against New Zealand. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/b27fc-17309857464086-1920.jpg?w=500)
During the same discussion, Reema Malhotra picked Priya Mishra as the Gujarat Giants' best Indian retention.
"The best retention among the Indian players I am seeing is Priya Mishra, considering the way she made her debut for India recently and the way she has bowled. The Gujarat Giants will probably realize now that you should played her in the last season," she said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator concluded by noting that the Giants still have to do considerable work in the auction.
"She is a leg-spinner who has the art of picking up wickets. So overall, it's a decent team but they have to do a decent job in the mini-auction as well because a few big names are being seen, but if you are unable to play all of them together, I am still not seeing the replacements in this team. They have more money left and more work to do," Malhotra observed.
GG have an available purse of ₹4.40 crore heading into the auction. They have four slots remaining, including two for overseas players.