The TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction is approaching, and all five franchises will look to address key gaps in their squads ahead of the new season. Scheduled to take place in Kochi on October 28, the auction will feature 146 shortlisted players competing for 27 available slots, including 20 Indian and seven overseas positions. With teams operating under different budget constraints, their recruitment strategies are expected to vary significantly.
According to the official WPL squad-size update, Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz have seven vacancies each, while Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have five apiece. Gujarat Giants, meanwhile, have just three slots to fill. The available positions and remaining purses will play a crucial role in determining each franchise’s auction strategy.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals enter the auction with 13 players, including five overseas cricketers, and five available slots. With only ₹1.10 crore remaining and one overseas position available, DC are likely to prioritise affordable Indian talent. Their retained squad includes Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland. While their established core offers batting firepower and all-round quality, adding reliable domestic batting and bowling options could improve their bench strength. Delhi will need to make calculated bids rather than compete aggressively for expensive players.
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants have the largest existing squad, with 15 players, including five overseas cricketers. They have three vacancies and ₹1.25 crore remaining. Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine and Georgia Wareham provide international experience, while Renuka Singh strengthens their Indian pace-bowling options. Given their limited vacancies, Gujarat could focus on a dependable Indian middle-order batter and an additional bowling option. Their challenge will be to identify players who can improve the playing XI without disrupting an already established combination.
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have 11 players and seven available slots, including one overseas position, with ₹1 crore remaining according to the official squad update. Their core features Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr. These experienced players offer batting flexibility and all-round strength, but Mumbai will need affordable domestic reinforcements. Indian batting depth, wicketkeeping cover and bowling options could be important considerations. With six Indian slots to fill, finding quality players at reasonable prices will be central to their strategy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB have 13 players, including four overseas cricketers, and five vacancies. With ₹1.15 crore available and two overseas slots remaining, they have some flexibility in their recruitment. Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Voll and Nadine de Klerk form a competitive core. RCB could target additional middle-order batting cover and domestic bowling depth to provide greater balance. Their success at the auction will depend on identifying players who complement their established match-winners.
UP Warriorz
UP Warriorz enter the auction with 11 players, seven available slots and the highest remaining purse of ₹3.65 crore. Their squad includes Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Phoebe Litchfield and Harleen Deol. The combination offers leadership, spin-bowling quality and international batting experience. UP Warriorz could use their financial advantage to pursue a power-hitting middle-order batter, additional pace-bowling resources and Indian domestic talent. With two overseas slots available, they also have room to strengthen their international options.
With 27 slots available across five franchises, the WPL 2027 auction will be about more than signing big names. Each team must identify the right balance of experience, emerging Indian talent and specialist skills to build a squad capable of competing for the title.
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