The Women’s Premier League has become an important platform for domestic and international cricketers. As franchises prepare for the 2027 season, the auction could produce competitive bidding for players who offer the right combination of skill, experience and versatility.
The WPL 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28, 2026, in Kochi, Kerala. With only 27 available positions across five franchises, teams must identify their priorities before entering the bidding process.
However, a player’s base price does not determine the final auction amount. If two or more franchises need the same type of player, the bidding can rise quickly. Therefore, experienced batters, reliable all-rounders, specialist bowlers and promising Indian youngsters could all attract attention.
1. Sophia Dunkley: An Attacking Batter at ₹50 Lakh
Sophia Dunkley is one of the two players registered at the highest base price of ₹50 lakh. The England international brings an attacking batting approach and previous WPL experience with Gujarat Giants.
Franchises searching for additional batting depth could consider Dunkley, particularly if they want a player who can increase the scoring rate during the powerplay or middle overs.
Why Could Sophia Dunkley Attract Bids?
- Attacking approach: She can offer another option for teams seeking aggressive batting.
- International experience: Her exposure to competitive cricket could help her adapt to demanding match situations.
- Batting flexibility: Depending on the squad, she could provide an option in different batting positions.
- Experience in the WPL: Her previous involvement in the competition may help her adjust to its conditions.
For example, a franchise with a settled opening pair but limited attacking options elsewhere could consider Dunkley for a different batting role.
However, her final auction value will depend on her recent form, availability and the number of teams seeking an overseas batter.
2. Sophie Molineux: An All-Rounder Who Could Attract Interest
Sophie Molineux is the other player registered at a ₹50 lakh base price. The Australian all-rounder offers left-arm spin bowling and batting, making her a potential option for franchises looking to improve their squad balance.
Molineux has already demonstrated her value in the WPL. During Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning 2024 campaign, she took 12 wickets in 10 matches. Nevertheless, teams will also consider her fitness and availability following her previous knee injury.
What Makes Sophie Molineux an Interesting Option?
Molineux offers two skills that could help a franchise strengthen its playing XI.
- Left-arm spin: She can provide a different bowling angle and help manage the middle overs.
- Batting depth: Her batting gives teams another option beyond specialist batters.
- Tactical flexibility: Captains can consider her for different roles according to conditions.
- Previous WPL experience: She understands the demands of the competition.
For instance, a franchise seeking another spinner may prefer an all-rounder who can also contribute runs. Consequently, Molineux could attract interest from teams with different squad requirements.
Still, the number of interested franchises will depend on her expected availability and the alternatives in the auction pool.
3. G. Kamalini: A Young Indian Wicketkeeper-Batter
G. Kamalini is among the notable players registered at a base price of ₹40 lakh. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter could attract attention from franchises seeking domestic batting talent and wicketkeeping depth.
Young Indian players can be valuable in franchise cricket because they offer teams opportunities to develop talent while maintaining flexibility in overseas-player selection.
Why Could Franchises Target Kamalini?
Kamalini’s potential appeal comes from the combination of batting and wicketkeeping.
- Domestic talent: She could help strengthen the Indian contingent in a franchise squad.
- Wicketkeeping option: Teams looking for additional wicketkeeping cover may consider her.
- Long-term potential: A young player can develop into a more established contributor with experience.
- Squad flexibility: An Indian wicketkeeper-batter could help teams manage their overseas positions.
For example, a franchise that needs a backup wicketkeeper and another batting option could evaluate Kamalini against other available players.
However, her final value will depend on the team’s existing wicketkeepers, batting requirements and assessment of her recent performances.
4. Kiran Navgire: A Potential Power-Hitting Option
Kiran Navgire has registered at a base price of ₹40 lakh. The Indian batter is known for her power-hitting ability, which could make her an option for franchises seeking greater attacking strength.
In T20 cricket, players who can score boundaries quickly can change the direction of an innings. Therefore, a franchise that lacks power in its middle order may consider Navgire.
What Could Make Her a Bidding Target?
- Power-hitting: She offers an attacking option for teams looking to increase their scoring rate.
- Indian-player value: Her availability could help franchises strengthen their domestic batting options.
- Middle-order possibilities: Depending on the squad, she could provide another attacking choice.
- Different batting style: Her power-hitting could complement technically oriented batters.
For example, a team that regularly struggles to accelerate during the final overs may look for a batter who can attack from the start of her innings.
Nevertheless, franchises must consider consistency, role suitability and recent performances before deciding how much to bid.
5. Heather Graham: An Overseas All-Round Option
Australian cricketer Heather Graham is among the players registered at ₹40 lakh. Her all-round skills could interest teams that want another player capable of contributing with both bat and ball.
All-rounders are particularly useful in T20 cricket because they allow captains to select more flexible combinations. Instead of relying entirely on specialist batters and bowlers, a franchise can use an all-rounder to strengthen multiple departments.
Why Could Heather Graham Attract Attention?
Graham could appeal to teams that need an additional seam-bowling option and batting support.
Her potential value includes:
- Providing another pace-bowling option.
- Adding depth to the lower order.
- Giving captains more flexibility when selecting the playing XI.
- Offering an alternative to specialist overseas players.
For instance, a franchise that needs another bowler but also wants to strengthen its lower-order batting could consider Graham.
However, overseas-player limits will influence demand. A team with limited international positions may prefer an Indian player or an overseas cricketer who fills a more urgent role.
6. Jess Jonassen: An Experienced Left-Arm Spinner
Jess Jonassen is another Australian player registered at a base price of ₹40 lakh. The experienced left-arm spinner offers a bowling option that could interest franchises seeking greater control in the middle overs.
Experienced spinners can help teams manage the scoring rate, especially when batters try to accelerate before the final overs. In addition, Jonassen’s batting provides another option for teams that value contributions from their lower order.
Why Could Jonassen Become a Target?
- Spin-bowling experience: She has competed at the international level.
- Left-arm variety: Her bowling style can complement other types of bowlers.
- Batting support: She can provide additional depth beyond specialist batters.
- Tactical experience: Her background may help teams evaluate how she fits into different match situations.
For example, a franchise with several pace bowlers but limited left-arm spin options could consider Jonassen.
Nevertheless, teams will compare her with other available spinners and all-rounders before deciding whether to enter a bidding contest.
7. Chamari Athapaththu: A Proven International All-Rounder
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu is among the notable players registered at ₹30 lakh. She brings international experience and the ability to contribute through both batting and bowling.
Her lower base price compared with the ₹50 lakh category could make her an option for franchises seeking an experienced player without starting at the highest price bracket.
What Could Make Athapaththu Attractive?
Athapaththu offers several qualities that may interest franchises:
- Aggressive batting: She can provide attacking intent at the top of the order.
- Bowling support: Her bowling gives teams an additional tactical option.
- International leadership experience: She has captained Sri Lanka at the international level.
- All-round contribution: She can potentially contribute in more than one department.
For example, a franchise looking for an overseas batter who can also provide occasional bowling may consider Athapaththu.
However, her final auction value will depend on the roles available in each squad and competition from other international players.
8. Grace Harris: An Attacking All-Rounder
Grace Harris is another notable name in the ₹30 lakh base-price category. The Australian all-rounder is known for her aggressive batting and ability to contribute with the ball.
Franchises often value players who can change the pace of a T20 match. Therefore, Harris could interest teams looking for a powerful batting option alongside additional bowling depth.
Why Could Grace Harris Attract Bids?
- Attacking batting: She can provide a different scoring option in the batting order.
- All-round ability: Her bowling can offer captains another choice.
- Experience in franchise cricket: She has experience competing in high-pressure T20 competitions.
- Tactical flexibility: Teams can consider her for different roles depending on the match situation.
However, demand will depend on whether franchises need her particular skill set. A team with several established power-hitters may focus on other roles instead.
9. Sneh Rana: An Indian All-Rounder to Watch
Sneh Rana is among the notable Indian players registered at ₹30 lakh. Her off-spin bowling and batting ability could make her an option for franchises seeking domestic all-round depth.
Indian all-rounders can be particularly useful because they allow teams to strengthen multiple departments without using an overseas position.
What Could Make Sneh Rana Valuable?
- Spin bowling: She offers another option for the middle overs.
- Batting support: Her batting can add depth to the lineup.
- Domestic-player advantage: Teams can strengthen their Indian contingent while preserving overseas slots.
- Experience: Her exposure to competitive cricket may help her adapt to different match situations.
For example, a franchise that needs another Indian spin option and batting support could evaluate Rana against other available players.
However, her final value will depend on squad needs, recent form and the level of competition during the auction.
10. Other Players Who Could Trigger Competitive Bidding
Beyond the headline names, the auction includes several players who could attract interest depending on franchise requirements.
Chloe Tryon, also registered at ₹30 lakh, offers overseas all-round ability. Meanwhile, other Indian and international players at lower base prices may appeal to teams seeking specialist skills or additional squad depth.
Uncapped Indian players could also become important targets. With 97 uncapped Indian players in the auction pool, franchises have opportunities to identify emerging talent and build depth at different price levels.
However, the presence of many registered players does not guarantee that every player will receive a bid. Teams must work within their budgets and the limited number of available positions.
Which Factors Could Create Bidding Wars?
Several factors could increase competition for particular players during the WPL 2027 auction.
1. Limited Squad Positions
Only 27 positions remain available across the five franchises. Consequently, teams must focus on players who meet their most important requirements.
2. Overseas-Player Limits
Seven overseas positions remain available. Therefore, international players who offer specialist skills or all-round ability could attract interest from multiple teams.
3. Player Versatility
All-rounders and wicketkeeper-batters can provide value in more than one role. As a result, franchises may consider them useful options when building a balanced playing XI.
4. Available Purse
UP Warriorz have the largest remaining purse at ₹3.65 crore. Meanwhile, the other franchises have smaller budgets and must carefully manage their spending.
A team with more money may have greater flexibility to compete for a priority player. However, a larger purse does not guarantee that the franchise will win every bidding contest.
5. Base Price and Squad Requirements
The base price determines where bidding begins, not the final amount. A player registered at ₹30 lakh could attract a higher price if several franchises want the same skills.
Ultimately, bidding wars depend on competition between teams rather than reputation or base price alone.
Key Takeaways
- Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Molineux lead the highest base-price category at ₹50 lakh.
- G. Kamalini, Kiran Navgire, Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen are registered at ₹40 lakh.
- Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Chloe Tryon and Sneh Rana are among the notable ₹30 lakh players.
- All-rounders could attract interest because they offer flexibility in team selection.
- Indian batters and wicketkeeper-batters may appeal to franchises seeking domestic depth.
- Only 27 squad positions are available, which could intensify competition for players who fill important roles.
- The final price will depend on bidding interest, squad needs and remaining budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which players could attract bidding wars in the WPL 2027 auction?
Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Molineux, G. Kamalini, Kiran Navgire, Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen are among the notable players who could attract interest.
2. Who has the highest base price in the WPL 2027 auction?
Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Molineux have registered at the highest base price of ₹50 lakh each.
3. Which Indian players could attract attention in the auction?
G. Kamalini, Kiran Navgire and Sneh Rana are among the Indian players who could interest franchises, depending on their squad requirements.
4. Why could all-rounders attract competitive bids?
All-rounders can contribute with both bat and ball, giving franchises greater flexibility when selecting their playing XI.
5. When will the WPL 2027 auction take place?
The WPL 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28, 2026, in Kochi, Kerala.
