Dunkley and Molineux headline WPL 2027 auction as 146 players chase 27 slots in Kochi
WPL 2027 auction confirmed for Kochi on October 28
The race to fill the remaining spots for the 2027 Women’s Premier League season intensifies at the player auction in Kochi on October 28, with 146 cricketers set to go under the hammer for just 27 available slots across the five franchises. The sale is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM.
Base-price leaders and pool breakdown
England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia all-rounder Sophie Molineux headline the auction pool with the highest base price of Rs 50 lakh.
According to the WPL release, the auction list features 119 Indian players, including 22 capped and 97 uncapped cricketers, alongside 27 overseas players, comprising 14 capped and 13 uncapped names. Six overseas players represent Associate Nations. Of the 27 slots available, 20 are reserved for Indian players and seven for overseas recruits.
India’s G Kamalini and Kiran Navgire, along with Australia’s Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen, have set their base price at Rs 40 lakh. Another 30 players have registered in the Rs 30 lakh bracket, including Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Chloe Tryon and Sneh Rana. Four players have set their reserve price at INR 20 lakh while the remaining 106 players are listed at INR 10 lakh.
Franchise purses and slots ahead of sale
Retention activity has left the franchises with differing room to manoeuvre:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: ₹1.15 crore purse, 5 slots – 3 Indian, 2 overseas
- Mumbai Indians: ₹90 lakh purse, 6 slots – 6 Indian, 0 overseas
- Delhi Capitals: ₹1.10 crore purse, 5 slots – 4 Indian, 1 overseas
- Gujarat Giants: ₹1.25 crore purse, 3 slots – 2 Indian, 1 overseas
- UP Warriorz: ₹3.75 crore purse, 8 slots – 5 Indian, 3 overseas
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru had released Harris among four players, while Gujarat Giants retained the most players (15) and let go of four players, including Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Mumbai Indians retained 11 players and released six, while Delhi Capitals retained 13 and released six, including Lizelle Lee and Rana. UP Warriorz made the most releases, parting ways with nine players, including Deandra Dottin, Tryon and Navgire.
Mumbai Indians acquire Tara Norris in trade
Ahead of the auction, Mumbai Indians acquired USA left-arm seamer Tara Norris from UP Warriorz at her base price of Rs 10 lakh. Norris previously represented Delhi Capitals in the inaugural WPL season in 2023, making an immediate impact by becoming the first bowler in the tournament’s history to take a five-wicket haul. She returned figures of 5/29 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Brabourne Stadium, dismissing Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight and Richa Ghosh among others.
Her move to Mumbai adds another option to the franchise’s bowling resources ahead of the auction. The trade leaves UP Warriorz with the largest purse and most slots to fill.
With 146 players competing for 27 places, the Kochi auction will offer franchises a final opportunity to address gaps in their squads and build combinations for the 2027 WPL season.