The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction was a short, focused affair. Five franchises filled 25 of 27 open slots at the Grand Hyatt in Kochi on Wednesday, 28 October. UP Warriorz made the most noise, spending ₹1.10 crore on Australia’s Sophie Molineux.
The fifth WPL season runs from 14 January to 7 February 2027.
What Happened in Kochi
A total of 146 players went into the auction for 27 slots, seven of them reserved for overseas players. According to IANS, bidding lasted under an hour of active play.
Molineux was the costliest buy and the only player to cross ₹1 crore, per Business Standard. She missed the 2026 season with a hip injury and was released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. UP Warriorz won a bidding contest against RCB for her, DNA India reported.
Delhi Capitals paid ₹75 lakh for Indian batter Kiran Navgire, the highest price for an Indian player. Gujarat Giants signed wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini for ₹40 lakh.
The Numbers at a Glance
| Team | Squad size | Notable auction buys |
|---|---|---|
| UP Warriorz | 18 | Sophie Molineux (₹1.10 cr), Grace Harris, Sneh Rana, Sushma Verma (₹30 lakh each) |
| Delhi Capitals | 17 | Kiran Navgire (₹75 lakh), Uma Kashvi (₹10 lakh) |
| Gujarat Giants | 18 | G Kamalini (₹40 lakh), Orla Prendergast (₹30 lakh) |
| Mumbai Indians | 18 | Six additions, mostly uncapped, including Akshita Bhagat (₹10 lakh) |
| RCB | 17 | Jess Jonassen (₹40 lakh), Tejal Hasabnis, Chloe Tryon, Vrinda Dinesh |
Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz finished with 18 players. RCB and Delhi Capitals ended on 17 each.
UP Warriorz: Big Spenders, Spin-Heavy Squad
UP Warriorz entered the auction with the biggest purse (₹3.75 crore) and the most slots to fill, with eight. They filled all eight, spending about ₹2.50 crore, according to NewsX.
They already held Meg Lanning, Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma and Harleen Deol from the retention round. The new signings add heavy spin options in Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, Molineux and others. Cricinfo’s analysis noted the squad looks thin in the middle-order batting department.
Kathryn Bryce joined at her ₹10 lakh base price. Cricinfo points out that, because Scotland is an Associate nation, she could let the team field five overseas players in the XI. Check the WPL playing rules before repeating that claim.
UPW’s COO and director of cricket, Kshemal Waingankar, said they were willing to go “at any cost” for Molineux, per IANS. He also spoke of pairing her with Ecclestone.
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Delhi Capitals: Power Added, Keeper Question Remains
Delhi Capitals have finished runners-up in every season so far, according to MyKhel’s season table, and they’re still chasing a first title. Head coach Jonathan Batty said the team wanted a hard-hitting Indian batter and got one in Navgire, who is known as a strong player of spin.
Cricinfo flagged that DC did not buy a wicketkeeper after releasing Lizelle Lee. That leaves Madiwala Mamatha as the likely gloveman. Fifteen-year-old Karnataka allrounder Uma Kashvi, signed at base price, became the youngest player bought in the auction’s history, per Asianet News.
Mumbai Indians: Depth Over Stars
Mumbai had the smallest purse and six slots. They filled them with mostly uncapped players, including Shweta Sehrawat and Akshita Bhagat. Head coach Luke Williams said the retained core was solid, so the aim was cover for injuries and different conditions. Wicketkeeping rests largely on uncapped options.
Gujarat Giants: Cover Across the Order
Gujarat spent ₹80 lakh on three signings and have ₹45 lakh left, per NewsX. They added Kamalini, Ireland’s Orla Prendergast and teenager Samaira Raghav. Coach Michael Klinger said Prendergast’s versatility adds cover for injuries and a medium-pace overseas option, according to Cricinfo.
RCB: Defending Champions With Few Needs
RCB won the 2026 title and needed little. They added Australian Jess Jonassen, South Africa’s Chloe Tryon and India’s Tejal Hasabnis, plus Vrinda Dinesh, to give them match-up flexibility. Head coach Malolan Rangarajan said RCB tried hard for Molineux, but Jonassen offered a similar left-arm spin and batting profile.
Why the Auction Matters
This was a mini-auction after retentions, with only 27 spots. But the squads that emerged show how teams are balancing overseas limits, Indian depth and keeper options before a short season. The WPL has so far been won twice each by Mumbai Indians (2023, 2025) and RCB (2024, 2026).
What Comes Next
Teams will now finalise their squads ahead of the 14 January start. Fixtures should be checked against official WPL announcements. Fans should also watch for injury replacements and any late signings.
FAQs
When was the WPL 2027 auction held?
On 28 October 2026 in Kochi.
Who was the most expensive player?
Sophie Molineux, bought by UP Warriorz for ₹1.10 crore.
Who was the costliest Indian buy?
Kiran Navgire, signed by Delhi Capitals for ₹75 lakh.
How many players were sold?
Twenty-five of the 27 open slots were filled.
When does WPL 2027 start?
On 14 January 2027, with the final on or around 7 February.
Who won WPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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