WPL 2027 Auction: RCB Grab Jess Jonassen; MI Bet Big on Saanika Chalke
Royal Challengers Bengaluru sign Jess Jonassen, while Mumbai Indians pick up sensation Saanika Chalke in the WPL 2027 mini-auction in Kochi.
The excitement of the WPL 2027 mini-auction took over Kochi on Wednesday as franchises scrambled to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), made a significant move by securing the services of Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen, while Mumbai Indians focused on youth by picking up rising star Saanika Chalke.
RCB Strengthens Squad with Jonassen
In a strategic acquisition, Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed Jess Jonassen for her base price of Rs 40 lakh. The Australian all-rounder brings a wealth of experience to the RCB camp, having previously spent three seasons with the Delhi Capitals. Although Jonassen was recently ruled out of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) due to a hip injury, she is expected to be fully fit and ready for action by January.
Mumbai Indians Eye Future with Saanika Chalke
Mumbai Indians have placed their bets on 20-year-old left-handed batter Saanika Chalke, acquiring her for Rs 10 lakh. Chalke has rapidly become one of the most talked-about young prospects in Indian cricket. Her credentials include:
- A stunning double century for Mumbai against Sikkim in an Under-19 one-day tournament back in 2022.
- Being a member of the Indian squad that won the 2025 Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup.
- Finishing as the top run-scorer in the Mumbai T20 competition earlier this year, amassing 223 runs in five games with a strike rate of 142.94.
- A recent impressive knock of 85 runs off 53 balls for Mumbai against Jharkhand in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy.
Other Key Franchise Moves
Several other teams utilized the mini-auction to fill critical gaps in their rosters:
UP Warriorz
The UP Warriorz focused on versatility, signing Scotland all-rounder Kathryn Bryce for Rs 10 lakh. However, in a twist of fate, her sister Sarah Bryce remained unsold. The franchise also added Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar to their ranks, paying Rs 10 lakh for each player.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals bolstered their lineup by signing Uma Kashvi and Scotland's left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon for Rs 10 lakh each. Gordon, who entered the auction under the Associate category after switching from England to Scotland, brings international experience, including five T20I appearances during the 2018 Women's T20 World Cup and a Test match against Australia in 2019.
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants looked toward the future by signing 16-year-old all-rounder Samaira Raghav for Rs 10 lakh. Raghav was one of the late additions to the auction pool, added just a day before the event began.
The Unsold List
Despite the flurry of activity, several players failed to attract bids. Among the Indian contingent, Devika Vaidya, Pranavi Chandra, Ira Jadhav, Tanisha Ohlan, Khushi Bhatia, Nazma Khan, Triveni Vasistha, and Palak Singh went unsold.
The overseas section also saw a few disappointments, as UAE captain Esha Oza, Australian spinner Milly Illingworth, and New Zealand's Bree Illing failed to find a buyer during the Kochi proceedings.