WPL 2027 Auction: 146 Players Battle for 27 Slots in Kochi
146 players will compete for 27 slots in the WPL 2027 player auction in Kochi. Find out the base prices, purse details, and squad rules.
The stage is set for the WPL 2027 player auction, where 146 cricketers will go under the hammer as five franchises look to complete their rosters. The high-stakes event is scheduled to take place on October 28, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt in Kochi, Kerala, starting at 5:30 PM.
The Battle for Squad Slots
With the player retention deadline having passed on September 28, teams are now focusing on filling the remaining gaps in their squads. A total of 27 slots are up for grabs across the five franchises. The distribution of these spots is strictly divided, with 20 slots reserved for Indian talent and seven allocated for overseas recruits.
The player pool is diverse, featuring a mix of experienced stars and emerging talents:
- Indian Players: 119 total (22 capped and 97 uncapped athletes).
- Overseas Players: 27 total (14 capped and 13 uncapped), including six players representing Associate Nations.
Financials and Base Prices
Each franchise is operating under a salary cap of INR 15 crore. While teams can have a maximum squad size of 18 players, they are restricted to a maximum of six overseas athletes per team.
Who Commands the Highest Price?
The base price tiers reveal which players the franchises are expected to fight over most fiercely. England's Sophia Dunkley and Australia's Sophie Molineux lead the pack with the highest base price of INR 50 lakh.
Following closely are players like Jess Jonassen, Heather Graham, Kiran Navgire, and G Kamalini, all entering the auction with a base price of INR 40 lakh. The rest of the pool is distributed as follows:
- INR 30 lakh bracket: 30 players
- INR 20 lakh bracket: 3 players
- INR 10 lakh bracket: 107 players
Team Strategies and Purse Power
As the auction approaches, the financial standing of the teams varies significantly. The UP Warriorz currently hold the strongest position in terms of spending power, entering the event with the largest remaining purse of INR 3.75 crore after releasing nine players from their squad.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have already been active in shaping their lineup, having strengthened their bowling attack through the trade of USA seamer Tara Norris.
Road to the Tournament
The outcome of the Kochi auction will define the competitive landscape for the upcoming season. Once the squads are finalized, the action will move to the pitch, with the WPL 2027 season scheduled to run from January 14 to February 7, 2027.