UP Warriorz WPL 2027 Auction Targets After Releasing Nine Players

UP Warriorz will enter the WPL 2027 auction with a major rebuilding opportunity. After releasing nine players, the franchise must strengthen several areas while retaining the core that includes captain Meg Lanning, all-rounder Deepti Sharma, batter Phoebe Litchfield and left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone.

The UP Warriorz WPL 2027 Auction Targets After Releasing Nine Players discussion centres on rebuilding the batting lineup, finding a wicketkeeper-batter and adding bowling depth. The departures of Deandra Dottin, Chloe Tryon and Charli Knott have created overseas recruitment opportunities. Meanwhile, the releases of Kiran Navgire, Shweta Sehrawat and Asha Sobhana leave the franchise with additional domestic roles to consider.

The WPL 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28, 2026, in Kochi. Following the release of nine players and the trade of Tara Norris to Mumbai Indians, UP Warriorz have approximately ₹3.75 crore available and up to eight squad positions to fill, including three overseas slots. This gives the franchise considerable flexibility, although careful planning will remain essential.

Key Takeaways

• UP Warriorz released nine players ahead of the WPL 2027 auction.
• The franchise has approximately ₹3.75 crore remaining after the Tara Norris trade.
• Eight squad positions are available, including three overseas slots.
• A wicketkeeper-batter, an aggressive middle-order player and additional bowling options could be key priorities.
• The franchise should balance experienced international recruits with affordable Indian players.

1. Understanding UP Warriorz’s Squad Position

UP Warriorz have retained an important group of players who can provide stability during the rebuilding process. Meg Lanning brings experience at the top of the order, while Phoebe Litchfield offers an attacking batting option. Deepti Sharma remains central to the team’s all-round balance, and Sophie Ecclestone leads the spin attack.

The retained Indian group also includes Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri and Simran Shaikh. These players provide a foundation across batting, bowling and wicketkeeping.

However, the nine releases have created several gaps. The team needs to replace the batting power of Dottin and Tryon, reconsider its wicketkeeping options after releasing Amy Jones and improve its domestic batting depth.

UP Warriorz auction position

The Tara Norris trade is important because it changes the number of available overseas places and the remaining budget. Therefore, UP Warriorz can consider a wider range of international players while maintaining funds for domestic recruits.

2. Sophia Dunkley Could Strengthen the Top Order

Country: England
Role: Batter
Base price: ₹50 lakh

Sophia Dunkley could be an option if UP Warriorz want an aggressive overseas batter. She has previously played for Gujarat Giants in the WPL, giving her experience of the tournament and its conditions.

Dunkley’s attacking approach could complement Meg Lanning’s experience at the top of the order. While Lanning can manage an innings and build a strong foundation, Dunkley could provide another option for attacking during the powerplay.

Her potential benefits include:

• Aggressive batting during the first six overs.
• Experience in international cricket and the WPL.
• Additional competition for places in the top order.
• Flexibility when selecting the overseas combination.

However, Dunkley has registered at the highest base price of ₹50 lakh. UP Warriorz must decide whether her batting offers enough value compared with other available overseas players.

The franchise should also consider how she would fit alongside Lanning and Litchfield. If the existing top order already provides sufficient aggression, the team may get greater value from a specialist bowler or all-rounder.

3. Grace Harris Could Replace Some of the Lost Power-Hitting

Country: Australia
Role: All-rounder
Base price: ₹30 lakh

Grace Harris could be an interesting option for UP Warriorz because the franchise released both Deandra Dottin and Chloe Tryon, two players who offered power-hitting and all-round skills.

Harris could provide an attacking middle-order option while also contributing with off-spin. Her ability to change the scoring rate may help UP Warriorz avoid becoming too dependent on their top-order batters.

She could offer three main benefits:

• Middle-order aggression: She can attack bowlers when the team needs a faster scoring rate.
• Finishing ability: Her power-hitting could help add runs during the final overs.
• Bowling flexibility: Her off-spin offers another option when conditions suit.

Her ₹30 lakh base price is lower than Dunkley’s, which could make her attractive if UP Warriorz want to spread their budget across several roles.

However, the franchise must assess whether Harris fits the required batting position and whether her skills complement the retained players. A possible reunion with a former franchise is never guaranteed, especially when rival teams may also enter the bidding.

4. Deandra Dottin Could Be Considered for a Return

Country: West Indies
Role: All-rounder

Deandra Dottin’s release creates an opportunity for UP Warriorz to reconsider their overseas all-round combination. If the franchise believes her power-hitting and seam bowling suit its plans, it could evaluate a return through the auction.

Dottin can provide an attacking option in the middle or lower order. In addition, her bowling gives the captain another way to manage the innings.

Her potential value includes:

• Power-hitting when the team needs to accelerate.
• An additional seam-bowling option.
• Flexibility when choosing overseas players for different match conditions.

Nevertheless, the management should examine why it released her and whether another player offers a better fit. With three overseas slots available after the Tara Norris trade, UP Warriorz have more flexibility, but they still need to balance the budget across several positions.

A return should depend on role suitability, current availability and the expected auction price rather than familiarity alone.

5. Chloe Tryon Could Add Left-Handed Batting Depth

Country: South Africa
Role: All-rounder

Chloe Tryon is another released overseas player whom UP Warriorz could reassess. Her left-handed batting and spin bowling may appeal to a franchise that wants more variety in the middle and lower order.

A left-handed batter can disrupt a bowling team’s preferred match-ups. Furthermore, a player who can contribute with the ball may allow the captain to adjust the playing XI without sacrificing batting depth.

Tryon could offer:

• Left-handed power-hitting.
• Spin bowling when conditions suit.
• Experience in international T20 cricket.
• Flexibility in the middle or lower order.

However, UP Warriorz already have Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone as key bowling options. The franchise must consider whether Tryon’s all-round skills would add something distinct or overlap with the retained squad.

If her expected price fits the budget, she could be considered alongside other overseas all-rounders. The final choice will depend on the balance UP Warriorz want to create.

6. Kiran Navgire Could Strengthen Indian Power-Hitting

Country: India
Role: Batter
Base price: ₹40 lakh

Kiran Navgire is one of the notable Indian players released by UP Warriorz. The power-hitter could become a target if the franchise wants to restore its domestic batting depth.

Navgire’s aggressive style may help a team maintain momentum in the middle overs. She could also offer an Indian batting option, allowing UP Warriorz to use their overseas places for specialist international players.

Her potential advantages include:

• Power-hitting in the middle order.
• Additional competition for batting positions.
• Flexibility when choosing the overseas combination.
• A familiar option if the franchise wants to reassess her role.

Navgire’s ₹40 lakh base price means UP Warriorz must weigh her against other Indian batters. The franchise should consider her likely batting position, consistency and how she would fit alongside Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal and Simran Shaikh.

A return is possible, but the team must decide whether it offers better value than recruiting another domestic batter from the auction pool.

7. Amy Jones’ Departure Makes Wicketkeeping a Priority

Country: England
Role: Wicketkeeper-batter

UP Warriorz released Amy Jones, creating an important decision around wicketkeeping. Shipra Giri remains in the retained group, but the franchise should assess whether it needs another specialist keeper or a keeper-batter who can strengthen the batting lineup.

A reliable wicketkeeper is essential throughout a tournament. Injuries, changes in form and tactical decisions can all affect selection, so having a suitable alternative could protect the team from disruption.

UP Warriorz should assess candidates according to:

• Wicketkeeping reliability.
• Batting quality and preferred position.
• Experience in competitive T20 cricket.
• Availability and auction price.

The franchise could consider an overseas wicketkeeper-batter if the candidate offers a strong combination of skills. However, it must weigh that option against the need for overseas batting and bowling recruits.

An Indian wicketkeeper could preserve an overseas slot for another role. This may be particularly valuable if UP Warriorz want to sign both an overseas batter and an all-rounder.

8. Sophie Molineux Could Strengthen the All-Round Options

Country: Australia
Role: All-rounder
Base price: ₹50 lakh

Sophie Molineux could interest UP Warriorz if the franchise wants another experienced all-rounder. She offers left-arm spin and useful batting, giving a team flexibility across the innings.

Molineux took 12 wickets in 10 matches during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning 2024 WPL campaign. However, a knee injury kept her out of the 2025 tournament, so franchises will need to consider her current fitness and availability.

Her potential strengths include:

• Left-arm spin for the middle overs.
• Batting depth lower down the order.
• Experience in high-pressure T20 matches.
• Flexibility when selecting the overseas combination.

Molineux’s ₹50 lakh base price would require careful budget planning. UP Warriorz have several positions to fill, so the franchise must compare her with lower-cost all-rounders and specialist bowlers.

She could become a priority if the management believes an experienced overseas all-rounder would improve the balance of the playing XI.

9. Rebuilding the Indian Bowling Group

UP Warriorz released Asha Sobhana and Suman Meena, creating opportunities to reassess their domestic bowling depth. The franchise has retained Shikha Pandey and Kranti Gaud, while Deepti Sharma offers another bowling option.

However, the team still needs reliable cover across different match situations. An additional Indian spinner could support Ecclestone and Deepti, while a domestic seamer could provide alternatives during the powerplay and at the death.

UP Warriorz should look for bowlers who offer:

• Control and consistency.
• The ability to take wickets in the middle overs.
• Skills that complement the existing attack.
• A reasonable price that protects the remaining budget.

The franchise should avoid recruiting players whose roles duplicate those of the retained bowlers. Instead, it should target a player who adds a specific skill and can contribute when required.

10. How UP Warriorz Should Manage Their ₹3.75 Crore Purse

UP Warriorz have the largest remaining purse among the five franchises. This gives them greater flexibility, but it does not mean they should spend aggressively without a plan.

With up to eight positions to fill, the franchise must distribute its money across overseas and domestic recruitment. A sensible strategy would involve several steps.

1. Prioritise the main gaps. Decide how much the team needs a wicketkeeper, a power-hitter and additional bowlers.
2. Set spending limits. Establish maximum bids for each role before the auction begins.
3. Prepare alternative targets. If one player becomes too expensive, move to another candidate with a similar skill set.
4. Balance overseas and Indian recruits. Use the three available overseas places carefully.
5. Keep funds for squad depth. Do not spend most of the purse on one or two headline signings.

For example, UP Warriorz could recruit one experienced overseas batter, one all-rounder and a wicketkeeper, then use the remaining positions to strengthen their Indian bowling and batting options. The exact combination should depend on the available players and the bidding prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many players did UP Warriorz release before the WPL 2027 auction?

UP Warriorz released nine players: Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Kiran Navgire, Shweta Sehrawat, Amy Jones, Chloe Tryon, Charli Knott, Gongadi Trisha and Suman Meena.

2. How much money do UP Warriorz have left for the WPL 2027 auction?

UP Warriorz have approximately ₹3.75 crore remaining after trading Tara Norris to Mumbai Indians.

3. How many squad positions can UP Warriorz fill at the auction?

UP Warriorz can fill up to eight squad positions, including three overseas slots, following the trade.

4. Could UP Warriorz bring back Kiran Navgire or Deandra Dottin?

Yes, the franchise could bid for either player if the management believes the player fits its plans. However, any return depends on availability, auction prices and competition from other teams.

5. Which positions should UP Warriorz prioritise at the auction?

UP Warriorz could prioritise a wicketkeeper-batter, an aggressive middle-order player, an all-rounder and additional Indian bowling depth while managing their budget across all available positions.