Kochi did not take long to make up its mind. In less than an hour of active bidding on Wednesday, the Women’s Premier League 2027 auction found its headline act. Australia captain Sophie Molineux, a left-arm spin all-rounder with a habit of turning big matches, went to UP Warriorz for Rs 1.1 crore, the highest price of a brisk mini auction that filled 25 of the 27 slots on offer.
The bidding told the story in seconds. UP Warriorz opened at her base price of Rs 50 lakh. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the side Molineux helped to the title in 2024, joined in straight away, and the price climbed past Rs 95 lakh before UP Warriorz pushed it to Rs 1 crore. Bengaluru went to Rs 1.05 crore. UP Warriorz answered with Rs 1.1 crore, and that was that. Bengaluru, which had started the evening with only Rs 1.15 crore in its purse, stepped away.
UP Warriorz came into the auction with the largest remaining purse, Rs 3.75 crore, and eight slots to fill after releasing nine players. By the end of the night it had filled all eight. For a team searching for consistency, Molineux brings control with the ball, useful runs lower down, and a captain’s temperament in tight games.
Why Molineux was worth the fight
Molineux missed WPL 2026, but she did not arrive in Kochi as a forgotten name. She captained Australia to the Women’s T20 World Cup title in England in 2026 and returned to international cricket after recovering from a hip injury. Bengaluru supporters will remember her best for the 2024 final, when her three wickets in quick succession broke Delhi Capitals’ innings and set up the franchise’s maiden title. She was named Player of the Match that night.
UP Warriorz also brought back Grace Harris for Rs 30 lakh. Harris began her WPL career with the franchise in 2023, then won the 2026 title with Bengaluru before being released. She returns alongside Sneh Rana and Sushma Verma, both signed for Rs 30 lakh each. Kathryn Bryce, Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar joined for Rs 10 lakh each, and Asha Sobhana, unsold in the early rounds, was picked up in the accelerated round for Rs 30 lakh.
Navgire leads the Indian buys
The most expensive Indian player was Kiran Navgire, who went to Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh after a bidding contest with Mumbai Indians. Mumbai opened at Rs 40 lakh and stayed in until Rs 70 lakh before Delhi Capitals closed the deal. Navgire is a big-hitting middle-order batter who can change a chase in a few overs.
Gujarat Giants signed young wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, a member of India’s 2025 Under-19 World Cup winning team, for her base price of Rs 40 lakh after Mumbai Indians released her. They also signed Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast for Rs 30 lakh and 16-year-old Samaira Raghav for Rs 10 lakh. Delhi Capitals added 15-year-old Uma Kashvi for Rs 10 lakh, the youngest player sold, plus Kirstie Gordon and Nazma Khan for Rs 10 lakh each. Mumbai Indians worked almost entirely at base price, picking up Disha Kasat, Latika Inamdar, Bharti Rawal, Sanika Chalke and Akshita Bhagat for Rs 10 lakh each, and Shweta Sehrawat for Rs 20 lakh.
RCB wait, then move late
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru did not buy a single player in the first ten sets, then did all their business in the accelerated rounds: Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 lakh, Chloe Tryon and Tejal Hasabnis for Rs 30 lakh each, and Vrinda Dinesh for Rs 10 lakh. Bengaluru finished with one slot still open, as did Delhi Capitals.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, listed at Rs 30 lakh, and England batter Sophia Dunkley, listed at Rs 50 lakh, both went unsold. Several India internationals also missed out, including Taniyaa Bhatia, Uma Chetry, Titas Sadhu, Saika Ishaque and Priya Mishra. With only 27 slots, franchises chose fit over reputation.
What the auction says about WPL 2027
This was a mini auction, and teams arrived with most of their squads already set. The 25 signings were finishing touches, which is why bidding stayed calm for long stretches and flared only for Molineux and Navgire. For UP Warriorz, the test is whether a busy auction becomes a better season when play begins in January-February. Molineux will be judged against that Rs 1.1 crore figure every time she bowls.
FAQs
Who was the most expensive player at the WPL 2027 auction?
Sophie Molineux was the most expensive buy, signed by UP Warriorz for Rs 1.1 crore from a base price of Rs 50 lakh.
Who was the most expensive Indian player?
Kiran Navgire, signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh after a bidding contest with Mumbai Indians.
How many players were sold?
25 players were sold, filling 25 of the 27 slots available. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals each had one slot remaining.
Where and when was the auction held?
The mini auction was held in Kochi on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and wrapped up in less than an hour of active bidding.
Which big names went unsold?
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and England batter Sophia Dunkley went unsold, along with several India internationals including Taniyaa Bhatia and Titas Sadhu.
UP Warriorz will hope their Rs 1.1 crore signing sets the tone for WPL 2027.
