KOCHI — Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux commanded the highest bid at the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 Player Auction on 28 October 2026, securing a landmark ₹1.10 crore contract with UP Warriorz during an intense bidding session at the Grand Hyatt in Kochi. The mini-auction concluded with 25 of the 27 available squad vacancies filled across the five competing franchises, resulting in a collective expenditure of over ₹6.25 crore. The event finalized team compositions ahead of the tournament's fifth edition, scheduled to take place from 14 January to 7 February 2027.
Entering the auction room with the largest remaining purse of ₹3.75 crore, UP Warriorz operated with aggressive tactical clarity. The defining bidding contest of the evening erupted when Australian left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Sophie Molineux entered the floor at a base price of ₹50 lakh. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Giants opened the bidding before UP Warriorz stepped in with consecutive counter-bids, eventually securing her services at ₹1.10 crore.
Molineux’s acquisition addresses a strategic deficit for the Warriorz, providing leadership experience, middle-overs bowling economy, and lower-order batting depth. Her left-arm orthodox variations are expected to form a formidable spin partnership alongside English bowler Sophie Ecclestone on turning surfaces in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
| Player | Nationality | Role | Acquiring Franchise | Final Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophie Molineux | Australia | All-Rounder (LHB / SLA) | UP Warriorz | ₹1.10 Crore |
| Kiran Navgire | India | Batter (RHB) | Delhi Capitals | ₹75 Lakh |
| G. Kamalini | India | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Gujarat Giants | ₹40 Lakh |
| Jess Jonassen | Australia | All-Rounder (LHB / SLA) | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹40 Lakh |
| Grace Harris | Australia | All-Rounder (RHB / RAO) | UP Warriorz | ₹30 Lakh |
| Sneh Rana | India | All-Rounder (RHB / RAO) | UP Warriorz | ₹30 Lakh |
| Chloe Tryon | South Africa | All-Rounder (LHB / SLA) | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹30 Lakh |
With eight squad openings to fill, UP Warriorz completed a major roster overhaul by acquiring seven players during the session. Beyond Molineux, the Lucknow-based franchise re-signed explosive Australian finisher Grace Harris for ₹30 lakh and experienced Indian off-spinning all-rounder Sneh Rana for ₹30 lakh, bolstering their tactical versatility. They closed out their overseas allocation by securing Scotland's associate star Kathryn Bryce for ₹10 lakh, alongside veteran Indian wicketkeeper Sushma Verma for ₹30 lakh.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru maintained a disciplined strategy under team director Malolan Rangarajan, holding back until the final stages of the auction. RCB secured Australian spinner Jess Jonassen for ₹40 lakh to reinforce their bowling depth, while drafting South African power-hitter Chloe Tryon (₹30 lakh), domestic batter Tejal Hasabnis (₹30 lakh), and young opener Vrinda Dinesh (₹10 lakh) to bolster their reserve bench.
Conversely, Mumbai Indians focused their purse on expanding their uncapped domestic pipeline. Under incoming head coach Luke Williams, the franchise avoided bidding wars for overseas stars, methodically acquiring domestic talents Saanika Chalke, Latika Inamdar, Disha Kasat, Bharti Rawal, and Akshita Bhagat at their base prices of ₹10 lakh each. They also secured young top-order batter Shweta Sehrawat for ₹20 lakh following a brief bidding contest with Delhi Capitals.
Addressing the media following the auction, UP Warriorz head coach Jon Lewis explained the rationale behind their aggressive bidding for Molineux:
“"Sophie Molineux was our non-negotiable target from the moment the auction pool was published. Her tactical maturity in crunch overs and ability to execute under pressure in global franchise tournaments makes her an invaluable asset to our bowling group. Pairing her with Sophie Ecclestone gives us one of the most balanced spin attacks in modern T20 cricket." — Jon Lewis, Head Coach, UP Warriorz”
| Franchise | Purse Spent in Auction | Vacancies Filled | Remaining Purse | Total Squad Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP Warriorz | ₹2.50 Crore | 7 of 8 filled | ₹1.25 Crore | 17 Players |
| Delhi Capitals | ₹0.85 Crore | 2 of 3 filled | ₹0.25 Crore | 16 Players |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹1.10 Crore | 4 of 5 filled | ₹0.05 Crore | 17 Players |
| Gujarat Giants | ₹0.70 Crore | 2 of 3 filled | ₹0.55 Crore | 17 Players |
| Mumbai Indians | ₹0.70 Crore | 6 of 6 filled | ₹0.10 Crore | 18 Players |
The 2027 auction also produced notable milestones for domestic women's cricket. Karnataka’s young all-rounder Uma Kashvi became the youngest-ever player purchased in WPL auction history, signed by Gujarat Giants as part of their long-term development pathway.
Delhi Capitals made a strategic domestic move by securing dynamic batter Kiran Navgire for ₹75 lakh, providing aggressive firepower in the middle order behind Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter G. Kamalini went to Gujarat Giants for ₹40 lakh after drawing competing bids from two franchises.
A total of 121 shortlisted players went unsold across the afternoon, including high-profile capped internationals such as England’s Sophia Dunkley, Australian seamer Heather Graham, and Indian spinner Asha Sobhana in early rounds before the latter was picked up in late accelerated bidding by UP Warriorz.
With squads finalized, franchise management groups will transition into pre-season conditioning camps across November and December. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the upcoming 2027 edition will adhere to an expanded caravan schedule, bringing live fixtures to additional regional hubs across the country.
The concluding auction transactions illustrate the growing financial and strategic maturity of the Women’s Premier League. By prioritizing specific team needs, investing in specialized domestic talent, and managing overseas allocations with tactical care, all five franchises enter the 2027 season with deep, balanced rosters ready to compete for the championship.
