Kochi: The Women's Premier League 2027 player auction delivered a subdued marketplace, with only three players sparking competitive bidding across 150 candidates for 27 franchise slots.
Sophie Molineux headlined the spending, with UP Warriorz securing the Australia captain for Rs 1.10 crore after Royal Challengers Bengaluru withdrew at Rs 1.05 crore. Grace Harris returned to UP Warriorz at her base price of Rs 30 lakh, having contributed 818 runs and 15 wickets across 31 WPL matches. Delhi Capitals edged out Mumbai Indians for Kiran Navgire, who went for Rs 75 lakh after MI backed out at Rs 70 lakh.
The auction featured 150 players for 27 vacant slots, with only 25 positions ultimately filled. A notable characteristic was the limited bidding activity, as most franchises entered with largely settled playing XIs. UP Warriorz, entering with Rs 3.75 crore in their purse, spent Rs 2.60 crore on eight players, prioritizing all-rounders with six acquisitions. The squad now includes Molineux, Harris, Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, and Sushma Verma, alongside retained stars Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma.
Defending champions RCB, the only franchise without an Associate player in the auction, largely retained their title-winning core. The Bengaluru franchise signed Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen at her base price of Rs 40 lakh, though the side's backroom staff will monitor her fitness after she was ruled out of the Women's Big Bash League with a hip injury. Gujarat Giants made history by signing Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast for Rs 30 lakh, marking her WPL debut.
Among Associate players, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce joined UP Warriorz for Rs 10 lakh, while Kirstie Gordon moved to Delhi Capitals at the same price. Mumbai Indians, with the smallest purse at Rs 90 lakh, made three base-price purchases in Bharti Rawal, Disha Kasat, and Latika Inamdar.
The auction concluded with BCCI Secretary Devajit Sakia confirming brainstorming sessions would be held to explore expanding the league to more teams by 2028. Until the next edition, franchiques will look to build on existing cores, with the data suggesting a continued emphasis on settled combinations over wholesale roster changes.
