The recently concluded Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 mini-auction at the Grand Hyatt in Kochi has added a compelling new layer to the fifth edition of the Women’s Premier League, which will run from 14th January to 7th February 2027. With 25 players sold from 27 available slots, the franchises balanced limited purses with targeted recruitment, producing high-profile switches, bargain signings and a historic first for Irish cricket.
As the league approaches its fifth season, the auction has sharpened the identities of teams chasing the trophy, and, for Delhi Capitals, another attempt to finally convert four runner-up finishes into a maiden title.
The auction’s backdrop was shaped by the league’s short but eventful history. Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, won the inaugural edition in 2023, before Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Smriti Mandhana, ended their 17-year wait for a franchise title in 2024. Mumbai reclaimed the crown in 2025, while RCB lifted their second WPL trophy in 2026. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, have finished runners-up in all four editions, making their auction strategy especially significant.
UP Warriorz entered with the largest purse of INR 3.65 crore and eight slots, including three overseas positions, and made the biggest statement by signing Australian left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder and skipper Sophie Molineux for INR 1.10 crore. Molineux’s move from RCB gives UP a proven match-winner with both bat and ball. Delhi Capitals, working with INR 1.10 crore for five slots, including one overseas berth, secured Kiran Navgire for INR 75 lakh, adding a power-hitting switching from UP Warriorz.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with INR 1.15 crore for five slots and two overseas vacancies, picked up Australian spinner Jess Jonassen at her base price of INR 40 lakh. Jonassen’s switch from Delhi Capitals strengthens RCB’s spin resources and brings valuable big-match experience. Gujarat Giants, holding INR 1.25 crore for three slots, including one overseas place, signed young wicketkeeper-batter Gunalan Kamalini for INR 40 lakh and Irish all-rounder Orla Prendergast, who becomes the first Irish player in WPL history.
Mumbai Indians had the smallest purse at INR 90 lakh for six slots, yet found value in Shweta Sehrawat for INR 20 lakh. Her move from UP Warriorz offers Mumbai a promising young batting option. Elsewhere, the auction delivered several surprises, with established names including Charli Knott, Uma Chetry, Raghvi Bisht, Esha Oza, Sarah Bryce, Samantha Bates, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Saika Ishaque, Chamari Athapaththu, Titas Sadhu and Sophia Dunkley going unsold.
Mumbai Indians (MI) [Purse Left Ahead of the Auction: 90 Lakhs]
Retained: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Shabnim Ismail, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Rahila Firdous, Vaishnavi Sharma, Tara Norris {Traded from UP Warriorz}
New Signings: Akshita Bhagat (10 Lakhs), Shweta Sehrawat (20 Lakhs), Sanika Chalke (10 Lakhs), Bharti Rawal (10 Lakhs), Latika Inamdar (10 Lakhs), Disha Kasat (10 Lakhs)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) [Purse Left Ahead of the Auction: 1.15 CR]
Retained: Smriti Mandhana (C), Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Prathyoosha Kumar
New Signings: Tejal Hasabnis (30 Lakhs), Jess Jonassen (40 Lakhs), Vrinda Dinesh (10 Lakhs), Chloe Tryon (30 Lakhs)
UP Warriorz (UPW) [Purse Left Ahead of the Auction: 3.65 CR]
Retained: Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Meg Lanning (C), Phoebe Litchfield, Pratika Rawal, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Sophie Ecclestone
New Signings: Sophie Molineux (1.10 CR), Sneh Rana (30 Lakhs), Grace Harris (30 Lakhs), Sushma Verma (30 Lakhs), Kathryn Bryce (10 Lakhs), Manali Dakshini (10 Lakhs), Sahana Pawar (10 Lakhs), Asha Sobhana (30 Lakhs)
Delhi Capitals (DC) [Purse Remaining Ahead of the Auction: 1.10 CR]
Retained: Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani, Niki Prasad, Sree Charani, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandni Sharma, Deeya Yadav
New Signings: Kiran Navgire (75 Lakhs), Kashvi Kandikuppa (10 Lakhs), Kirstie Gordon (10 Lakhs), Nazma Khan (10 Lakhs)
Gujarat Giants (GG) [Purse Left Ahead of the Auction: 1.25 CR]
Retained: Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Yastika Bhatia, Anushka Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Happy Kumari, Jintimani Kalita
New Signings: Gunalan Kamalini (40 Lakhs), Orla Prendergast (30 Lakhs), Samaira Raghav (10 Lakhs)
As WPL 2027 approaches, these signings have reshaped squad balances and raised the stakes for a tournament that has already produced four different finalists’ narratives. With Molineux headlining UP’s rebuild, Delhi reinforcing their power game, RCB adding spin depth and Gujarat making history with Prendergast, the fifth edition promises another fiercely competitive race for the title.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.