The WPL 2027 auction ₹30 lakh slab features several experienced international cricketers who could attract attention from franchises looking to strengthen their squads. Among the notable names are Sri Lanka all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu and Australian all-rounder Grace Harris, two players known for their ability to influence T20 matches with both bat and ball.
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28 in Kochi, Kerala. A total of 146 players have registered for the auction, with 27 squad positions available across five franchises. While Sophie Molineux and Sophia Dunkley lead the base-price list at ₹50 lakh, the ₹30 lakh category includes several established players with international experience.
This price bracket could be particularly interesting because franchises must balance their remaining purse with specific squad requirements. An experienced all-rounder, a specialist bowler or a reliable wicketkeeper could all become valuable additions, depending on the team’s needs.
Key Takeaways
- Chamari Athapaththu and Grace Harris have registered at a base price of ₹30 lakh.
- Both players offer all-round skills that could help franchises balance their playing XIs.
- Chloe Tryon, Orla Prendergast and Sneh Rana are among the other notable all-rounders in this bracket.
- Several Indian wicketkeepers and bowlers are also listed at ₹30 lakh.
- A player’s base price is the starting point for bidding, not a confirmed final contract value.
Chamari Athapaththu: Sri Lanka’s Experienced All-Rounder
Chamari Athapaththu is one of the most recognisable names in women’s cricket. The Sri Lankan captain has built a reputation as an attacking batter who can put pressure on opposition bowlers during the powerplay. Her ability to contribute with the ball also makes her an attractive all-round option.
In T20 cricket, aggressive starts can change the direction of an innings. Athapaththu’s attacking approach gives a team the option to target the fielding restrictions and build momentum early. Moreover, her experience in international cricket can help her handle different match situations.
Why Could Athapaththu Be Valuable in WPL 2027?
Athapaththu offers more than batting alone. Her bowling provides another option for captains, while her experience can support decision-making during high-pressure moments.
However, overseas places are limited in the WPL. A franchise considering Athapaththu would need to decide whether her combination of batting, bowling and leadership experience fits its existing squad. Teams with an established opening pair may assess her role differently from franchises seeking an aggressive top-order batter.
Base price: ₹30 lakh
Her starting price places her below the two players registered at ₹50 lakh. Nevertheless, the final auction value will depend on bidding competition, team budgets and how strongly franchises rate her role.
Grace Harris: Australia’s Powerful All-Rounder
Grace Harris is another major name in the ₹30 lakh category. The Australian all-rounder is known for her powerful hitting and ability to score quickly, making her a potential match-changer in the shorter format.
Harris can be especially useful when a team needs to accelerate an innings. Her attacking batting can put pressure on bowlers who miss their lengths, while her all-round skills offer additional flexibility when a captain plans the bowling attack.
What Could She Bring to a Franchise?
Harris can provide an aggressive batting option and another bowling resource. This combination may help a franchise create a flexible line-up, particularly when it wants to strengthen its middle order or add power to the lower half of the batting order.
Her experience in competitive T20 cricket is another consideration. However, a franchise must evaluate her likely position in the playing XI and whether its remaining overseas slots can accommodate her.
Base price: ₹30 lakh
Harris could interest a team looking for power-hitting and all-round depth. Her previous WPL experience may also help franchises assess how she could fit into the league’s playing conditions and demands.
Other Overseas All-Rounders in the ₹30 Lakh Slab
Athapaththu and Harris are not the only overseas all-rounders available at this starting price. The auction list includes several other players who could offer different skills and tactical options.
Chloe Tryon
South Africa’s Chloe Tryon is a left-handed batter and left-arm orthodox bowler. Her ability to contribute in both departments could make her an option for teams seeking middle-order power and spin-bowling depth.
A franchise would need to consider her role alongside its existing overseas players. If the team already has several spin options, it may prioritise another skill set instead.
Base price: ₹30 lakh
Orla Prendergast
Ireland’s Orla Prendergast offers another all-round option. Players who can contribute with bat and ball can provide flexibility, especially when franchises need to cover more than one role with a limited number of squad places.
Her potential fit would depend on the team’s plans and its assessment of her readiness to contribute consistently against experienced WPL opponents.
Base price: ₹30 lakh
Annerie Dercksen
South Africa’s Annerie Dercksen is also listed in the ₹30 lakh bracket. As an all-rounder, she provides another name for franchises looking to explore their overseas options beyond the most widely recognised players.
The final decision will depend on the role a franchise wants her to perform, her competition for a place in the XI and the team’s overall auction budget.
Base price: ₹30 lakh
Indian Players in the ₹30 Lakh Category
The ₹30 lakh bracket also contains several Indian players who could be important to franchises looking to fill available domestic positions. Since teams have 20 Indian slots to fill across the auction, domestic options can be particularly relevant.
| Player | Listed role | Potential value |
| Sneh Rana | All-rounder | Batting depth and spin bowling |
| Raghvi Bist | Batter | Additional batting option |
| Tejal Hasabnis | Batter | Middle-order batting depth |
| Ayushi Soni | Batter | Additional batting option |
| Taniyaa Bhatia | Wicketkeeper | Wicketkeeping and squad cover |
| Uma Chetry | Wicketkeeper | Wicketkeeping depth |
| Nuzhat Parween | Wicketkeeper | Another wicketkeeping option |
| Sushma Verma | Wicketkeeper | Experience behind the stumps |
| Titas Sadhu | Bowler | Pace-bowling option |
| Saima Thakor | Bowler | Bowling depth |
| Saika Ishaque | Bowler | Left-arm spin option |
| Priya Mishra | Bowler | Spin-bowling option |
| Asha Sobhana | Bowler | Spin-bowling experience |
Specialist Bowlers Who Could Attract Attention
The ₹30 lakh category includes several bowlers who could interest teams looking for greater variety in their attacks.
Tayla Vlaeminck
Australia’s Tayla Vlaeminck is known for her pace. Fast bowlers can make a difference by challenging batters with speed and forcing mistakes, particularly when conditions support seam movement.
However, teams must also consider fitness, availability and workload when assessing fast bowlers. Those factors can be as important as raw pace during a demanding tournament.
Rosemary Mair
New Zealand’s Rosemary Mair is another overseas bowling option. A franchise searching for seam-bowling depth could examine her profile alongside other available pace bowlers.
Her potential selection would depend on the balance of the attack and the team’s need for a specialist bowler.
Nonkululeko Mlaba
South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba offers a left-arm spin option. A bowler with a different angle can help captains manage match-ups and vary their approach through the middle overs.
Teams will need to compare her strengths with their existing spinners before deciding whether she is the right fit.
How the ₹30 Lakh Slab Could Shape Auction Strategies
The ₹30 lakh category gives franchises several ways to address squad weaknesses. However, a team’s strategy will depend on its available purse, open positions and overseas-player limits.
1. Teams May Prioritise All-Rounders
All-rounders can contribute in more than one department. Therefore, a franchise seeking batting depth and another bowling option may consider players such as Athapaththu, Harris or Tryon.
2. Domestic Players May Offer Better Squad Balance
Franchises with limited overseas positions may concentrate on Indian players in this bracket. A domestic wicketkeeper or bowler could address a specific need without using an overseas place.
3. Bidding Will Depend on Team Requirements
A ₹30 lakh base price does not mean every player will cost the same amount. If multiple teams want the same player, bidding could push the final price higher. Conversely, a player may remain unsold if franchises prioritise other options.
4. Purse Management Will Be Important
The auction has 27 available positions across five teams. Franchises must avoid spending too much on one player if several other roles remain unfilled.
As a result, teams will need to compare the value of each candidate with the alternatives available at lower and higher base prices.
FAQs
1. What is Chamari Athapaththu’s base price for the WPL 2027 auction?
Chamari Athapaththu has registered at a base price of ₹30 lakh.
2. What is Grace Harris’s base price for the WPL 2027 auction?
Grace Harris has registered at a base price of ₹30 lakh.
3. Which overseas all-rounders are in the ₹30 lakh slab?
Notable names include Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Chloe Tryon, Orla Prendergast and Annerie Dercksen.
4. Are Indian players included in the ₹30 lakh category?
Yes, the category includes Indian players such as Sneh Rana, Raghvi Bist, Titas Sadhu and Saika Ishaque.
5. Does a ₹30 lakh base price guarantee a player’s final auction price?
No, the base price is the starting amount for bidding, and the final price depends on franchise interest and auction competition.
