WPL 2027 Auction: UP Warriorz Make Big Moves as Teams Shape Their Squads
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction brought a mix of high-profile signings, familiar reunions and value-focused additions as franchises strengthened their squads for the new season. UP Warriorz made some of the most striking moves, signing Australia captain Sophie Molineux for INR 1.10 crore and bringing back two players with previous ties to the team: Grace Harris and Asha Shobna.
With the fifth edition expected to begin on January 14, the auction offered an early look at how each side might approach the season. The final squads will influence team combinations, overseas-player choices and the form-based cricket prediction conversation ahead of the opening matches. But with several teams prioritising depth over headline spending, the auction’s impact may only become clear once the competition begins.
UP Warriorz Lead the Headlines with Molineux Signing
Molineux was among the most sought-after players at the auction. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champions, competed for the Australian allrounder but withdrew when the bidding reached INR 1.05 crore. RCB had entered the auction with a purse of just INR 1.15 crore, leaving little room to pursue a more expensive acquisition. UP Warriorz ultimately secured Molineux for INR 1.10 crore, adding an experienced leader and a left-arm spin option to their lineup.
The Warriorz also brought Harris back for her base price of INR 30 lakh. She made her WPL debut with UP in 2023 before joining RCB and winning the 2026 title. Known for her aggressive batting and ability to change a match quickly, Harris gives her former side a proven power-hitting option.
Asha Shobna also returns to UP Warriorz, this time for INR 30 lakh. She had previously been bought for INR 1.10 crore before being released, making her lower-priced return one of the auction’s notable value signings. The franchise added India allrounder Sneh Rana and experienced wicketkeeper Sushma Verma at their base prices of INR 30 lakh each. Rana will represent her fourth WPL franchise in five seasons, while Verma adds wicketkeeping experience and batting depth.
Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar were further additions to the Warriorz squad. The breadth of the recruitment suggests the team has focused not only on its starting XI, but also on backup options for a demanding tournament schedule.
Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants Add Targeted Talent
Delhi Capitals won a short bidding contest for Indian big-hitter Kiran Navgire. Mumbai Indians remained involved until the price reached INR 70 lakh, then stepped aside, allowing Delhi to land the batter. Navgire’s ability to score quickly could give the Capitals another attacking option in the middle order, especially in matches where a late-innings surge is needed.
Delhi also signed Karnataka teenager Uma Kasvi for her base price of INR 10 lakh. The young allrounder offers potential for future development, while Scotland’s Kirstie Gordon joined the franchise for the same amount. Gordon’s inclusion adds international spin-bowling experience and makes her one of two Scottish players to secure WPL contracts at the auction.
Gujarat Giants opted for a combination of youth and international variety. Wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini was signed for INR 40 lakh, while Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast joined for INR 30 lakh. Prendergast is set to become the first player from Ireland to feature in the WPL, a milestone that broadens the league’s international representation.
The Giants also picked up Samaira Raghav, a Delhi legspin-bowling allrounder who was added to the auction list late. Her base-price signing gives the franchise another specialist option and could provide useful flexibility when selecting a balanced XI.
Mumbai Indians Work Within a Tight Budget
Mumbai Indians entered the auction with the smallest remaining purse, INR 90 lakh, and concentrated on low-cost additions. The team signed Delhi left-arm spinner Bharti Rawal, Vidarbha middle-order batter Disha Kasat and wicketkeeper Latika Inamdar for INR 10 lakh apiece. Kasat previously spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with RCB, giving her prior experience of the league environment.
MI continued to add depth during the accelerated rounds, picking up uncapped Mumbai left-hander Saanika Chalke for INR 10 lakh. They also signed Delhi opening batter Shweta Sehrawat, who had spent the first four WPL seasons with UP Warriorz. With limited funds available, these moves reflect a strategy built around affordable competition for places rather than a single marquee purchase.
RCB Rebuilds with Allrounders and Late-Round Buys
After a relatively quiet start, RCB added Australian allrounder Jess Jonassen for her base price of INR 40 lakh. Jonassen spent the first three WPL seasons with Delhi Capitals and brings left-arm spin as well as batting experience. RCB also signed South African allrounder Chloe Tryon, who spent three years with Mumbai Indians before making her WPL debut for UP Warriorz last season.
The Bengaluru franchise returned to the auction in the second accelerated round to sign Indian players Vrinda Dinesh and Tejal Hasabnis, both of whom had gone unsold earlier. Those late additions could prove important if the team needs cover during the season or wants to adjust its batting combinations.
Associate Players Add an International Dimension
Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce was the first Associate player to attract a bid, joining UP Warriorz for INR 10 lakh. Bryce had previously represented Gujarat Giants, so her return gives her another opportunity to make an impact in the league. Her compatriot Kirstie Gordon followed, signing with Delhi Capitals at the same base price.
Associate signings can offer teams more than a place in the squad: they also introduce different playing styles and expand the league’s reach. Their eventual roles will depend on team balance, overseas selections and performances in training and match conditions.
What the Auction Could Mean for WPL 2027
The auction has created several storylines to follow: Molineux’s leadership and allround contribution at UP Warriorz, Harris’s return to her first WPL team, and the challenge facing RCB as it integrates new overseas players while working with a limited purse. Gujarat’s signing of Prendergast also gives the season a landmark international angle.
Any early cricket prediction should be treated cautiously. Auction prices and reputations can shape expectations, but results will depend on form, fitness, pitch conditions and how effectively teams use their available players. The fifth WPL season is scheduled to begin on January 14, with Mumbai’s CCI and Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium likely to host matches. As squads settle and match-day combinations emerge, the auction’s most important decisions will be judged not by their price tags, but by their influence on the field.
