WPL 2027 Auction: Sophie Molineux Breaks Bank as UP Warriorz Go on Shopping Spree
Sophie Molineux leads the WPL 2027 auction as the costliest buy. Kiran Navgire tops the Indian list as franchises gear up for the tournament.
The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction in Kochi witnessed high-stakes drama and strategic maneuvering as franchises battled for the best talent. The Australian captain, Sophie Molineux, emerged as the star of the show, becoming the most expensive player of the event after a fierce bidding war.
UP Warriorz Secure the Big Fish
UP Warriorz (UPW) made a bold statement by securing Sophie Molineux for a staggering Rs 1.1 crore (approximately USD 120,000). The fight for the Australian captain was intense, with her former team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), pushing the price up to Rs 1.05 crore before ultimately bowing out, despite having a larger remaining purse.
Kshemal Waingankar, Director of Cricket for UP Warriorz, emphasized that Molineux was a non-negotiable target. He noted that pairing Molineux with Sophie Ecclestone would create a "lethal force" in the bowling department. To further strengthen their squad, UPW also brought back Grace Harris for Rs 30 lakh, adding middle-order power to their lineup. Additionally, the team signed India's Sneh Rana and wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma at their base prices of Rs 30 lakh.
Indian Talent and Youngest Sensation
Among the domestic stars, middle-order batter Kiran Navgire commanded the highest price for an Indian player, joining the Delhi Capitals (DC) for Rs 75 lakh.
The auction also highlighted a shift toward youth. 15-year-old Karnataka all-rounder Uma Kashvi made history as the youngest player ever sold at a WPL auction, picked up by Delhi Capitals for Rs 10 lakh. Gujarat Giants also invested in the future by signing 16-year-old uncapped all-rounder Samaira Raghav for Rs 10 lakh.
Franchise Strategies: RCB's Late Surge and MI's Depth
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru adopted a cautious approach, remaining silent during the first ten sets. They finally entered the fray during the accelerated round, signing Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 lakh and South African star Chloe Tryon for Rs 30 lakh.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians (MI), operating with the smallest purse of Rs 90 lakh, focused entirely on uncapped Indian talent. They acquired six players: Shweta Sehrawat, Akshita Bhagat, Disha Kasat, Latika Inamdar, Bharti Rawal, and Sanika Chalke. Head coach Luke Williams explained that since the team already had a solid core through retentions, the auction was about adding depth and options for different playing conditions.
Key Auction Highlights:
- Gujarat Giants: Signed G Kamalini for Rs 40 lakh and Ireland's Orla Prendergast for Rs 30 lakh.
- Uncapped Players: 12 of the 25 players sold were uncapped Indians.
- Unsold Stars: Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (base price Rs 30 lakh) and England's Sophia Dunkley (base price Rs 50 lakh) failed to attract bids.
- Slot Status: Out of 27 available slots, 25 were filled, leaving only RCB and DC with one vacancy each.
With the squads now largely finalized, the stage is set for another thrilling season of the WPL, as teams look to blend international experience with emerging Indian talent.