WPL 2027 Auction: Sophie Molineux Most Expensive Buy, Kiran Navgire Tops Indian List

Australia captain Sophie Molineux emerged as the most expensive player at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction in Kochi on Wednesday, joining UP Warriorz for INR 1.10 crore (approximately USD 120,000).

Indian middle-order batter Kiran Navgire was the highest-priced domestic player, with Delhi Capitals securing her services for INR 75 lakh.

The five franchises collectively purchased 25 players from a maximum of 27 available slots, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals finishing the auction with one vacancy each.

UP Warriorz were the busiest franchise, filling all eight of their available positions, while Mumbai Indians concentrated on adding uncapped Indian talent.

Sophie Molineux Joins UP Warriorz for INR 1.10 Crore

Molineux attracted the highest bid of the auction after a contest between UP Warriorz and her former franchise, RCB. Bengaluru remained in the bidding until INR 1.05 crore before withdrawing, allowing UP Warriorz to secure the Australian allrounder for INR 1.10 crore.

Molineux captained Australia to their seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title in July 2026 and has been the team’s leading wicket-taker this year. Her arrival strengthens an already impressive UP Warriorz spin attack featuring Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma.

Head coach Abhishek Nayar said the franchise had entered the auction with a clear recruitment strategy.

“We went into the auction with a clear idea of the kind of squad we wanted to build. Sophie Molineux was a key addition for us, and we are delighted to have secured her services. Along with Grace Harris, Sneh Rana and the other players we have brought in, she gives us a lot of quality and flexibility.”

UP Warriorz also welcomed back Australian allrounder Grace Harris, who had been released by RCB after the previous season. Harris returned to her former franchise for INR 30 lakh, having previously represented UP Warriorz during the competition’s first three seasons.

The franchise additionally signed Sneh Rana and wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma for INR 30 lakh each.

Rana will represent her fourth WPL team, having previously played for RCB, Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals.

UP Warriorz Strengthen Squad With Eight Signings

UP Warriorz entered the auction with eight vacancies and a purse of INR 3.75 crore following the release of nine players. The franchise filled every available position, adding a combination of experienced international cricketers and domestic players.

Alongside Molineux, Harris, Rana and Verma, UP Warriorz signed Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce for INR 10 lakh. They also recruited Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar for INR 10 lakh each, while S Asha joined for INR 30 lakh.

The recruitment strategy provides greater flexibility in both the batting and bowling departments.

Rana expressed excitement about joining a spin attack that includes Deepti Sharma and playing under captain Meg Lanning.

“[The UP Warriorz spin attack] is very strong,” Rana told JioStar. “And Deepti Sharma will be with me, with whom I have been playing for a long time. So I know their strengths, so we will keep talking to each other. And it’s going to be a lot of fun. I am very excited [to play under Meg Lanning]. I have always seen her on TV. And even now when she leads UP, it looks very good. Seeing her captaincy, seeing her changes, it looks very good. So I am very excited to play under her.”

Kiran Navgire Becomes Most Expensive Indian Player

Delhi Capitals made the biggest investment in an Indian player by purchasing Kiran Navgire for INR 75 lakh. The middle-order batter finished ahead of all other domestic players in the auction’s price rankings.

Delhi also signed 15-year-old Karnataka allrounder Uma Kashvi for INR 10 lakh.

Kashvi became the youngest player sold at a WPL auction, marking an important milestone in her developing career.

The franchise completed its purchases by adding Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon and Nazma Khan for INR 10 lakh each.

Gordon’s signing carries an additional squad-selection benefit.

As Scotland is an Associate nation, Gordon and fellow Scotland international Kathryn Bryce can be selected as a fifth overseas player in their respective teams’ playing XIs under the WPL’s Associate-player provision.

RCB Sign Jess Jonassen and Chloe Tryon

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru adopted a patient approach, making no purchases during the first ten sets of the auction. RCB eventually entered the market during the accelerated round, signing Australian allrounder Jess Jonassen for her base price of INR 40 lakh.

They also added South African allrounder Chloe Tryon for INR 30 lakh.

The franchise strengthened its Indian contingent by purchasing Tejal Hasabnis for INR 30 lakh and Vrinda Dinesh for INR 10 lakh.

Despite these additions, RCB finished the auction with one squad position unfilled.

Mumbai Indians Focus on Uncapped Indian Talent

Mumbai Indians entered the auction with the smallest available purse of INR 90 lakh. With an established core already retained, the franchise concentrated on improving squad depth through domestic signings.

Mumbai purchased six uncapped Indian players: Shweta Sehrawat, Akshita Bhagat, Disha Kasat, Latika Inamdar, Bharti Rawal and Sanika Chalke. Sehrawat was their most expensive addition at INR 20 lakh, while the remaining five players were signed for INR 10 lakh each.

Mumbai Indians head coach Luke Williams explained the reasoning behind the franchise’s approach.

“Obviously, with the retentions, we had a sort of solid core group that we were able to retain,” Williams said.

“So, certainly, today was about trying to add to the group, whether that’s in the starting XI potentially, or if not, providing different options and coverage through the tournament, depending on what surfaces we play on and if there’s any injuries or players out of form. So, yeah, really happy with the depth that we’ve built across different areas and really excited to work with some new players.”

Of the 25 players sold at the auction, 12 were uncapped Indians.

Gujarat Giants Sign G Kamalini and Orla Prendergast

Gujarat Giants secured wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini for her base price of INR 40 lakh. Kamalini previously represented Mumbai Indians during the 2025 and 2026 seasons after being purchased for INR 1.60 crore.

Gujarat also signed Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast for INR 30 lakh, setting up her first appearance in the Women’s Premier League.

The franchise completed its auction activity by purchasing uncapped 16-year-old allrounder Samaira Raghav for INR 10 lakh.

Meanwhile, several established international players remained unsold.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu attracted no bids at her base price of INR 30 lakh, while England batter Sophia Dunkley also went unsold with a base price of INR 50 lakh.

WPL 2027 Auction: Complete List of Players Sold

A total of 25 players were purchased across the five franchises.

WPL 2027 Auction: Team-Wise Purchases

Smriti Mandhana Highlights WPL’s Role in Developing Indian Talent

Ahead of the auction, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana discussed the Women’s Premier League’s contribution to Indian cricket.

Speaking on JioStar’s Follow the Blues: The Dawn of Captain Smriti, Mandhana emphasised the importance of identifying young players and helping them develop into international match-winners.

“The WPL has been a huge benefit in that we have found quite a few players in the WPL, but now it’s our responsibility to figure out how we take them forward and make them into bigger match-winners. We definitely have exciting talent in our team right now. We have eight to nine people aged 19-24, which is pretty exciting. They have all played good cricket during the India A series. We have followed everything, and they have played very good cricket. So now it’s on us to take them forward and make them lead the way for India.”

With 12 uncapped Indian players securing contracts, the 2027 auction reinforced the league’s importance as a platform for emerging domestic talent.

The combination of experienced international signings and young Indian players will give franchises additional options as they prepare for the upcoming WPL season.