WPL 2027 Auction Predictions for the Biggest Player Purchases

The WPL 2027 auction predictions for the biggest player purchases point towards an interesting battle for established international cricketers, experienced Indian players and versatile all-rounders. With only 27 squad positions available across five franchises, a small group of players could attract strong bidding if their skills match the teams’ remaining requirements.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28 in Kochi, Kerala. The registered pool includes 146 players, with England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux entering at the highest base price of ₹50 lakh.

However, a high base price does not guarantee the biggest contract. The final amounts will depend on competing bids, team purses, available squad positions and the demand for each player’s role. UP Warriorz have the largest remaining purse, while Mumbai Indians and other franchises must manage tighter budgets.

Here are the players who could attract significant bids, the teams that may pursue them and the factors that could shape the auction’s biggest purchases.

Key Takeaways

• Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Molineux are the leading candidates in the highest base-price category.
• G. Kamalini, Kiran Navgire, Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen could attract interest at ₹40 lakh.
• Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris and Chloe Tryon offer all-round skills at a ₹30 lakh base price.
• UP Warriorz have the largest remaining purse and eight positions to fill following the Tara Norris trade.
• Indian players could attract strong bids because 20 domestic positions remain available.
• All predicted prices are estimates, not confirmed bids or guaranteed contract values.

1. Sophie Molineux Could Attract a Major Bid

Sophie Molineux is one of the most interesting players in the WPL 2027 auction pool. The Australian left-arm spinner and all-rounder has registered at a base price of ₹50 lakh, placing her in the highest starting-price category.

Her combination of spin bowling and batting could make her attractive to franchises that want a player who contributes in multiple departments. In T20 cricket, all-rounders can help teams maintain balance without relying entirely on specialist batters and bowlers.

Why Could Franchises Pursue Her?

Molineux offers left-arm spin, which can help captains create different match-ups against opposition batters. She can also contribute with the bat, giving a team another option when constructing its middle or lower order.

Her international experience is another factor. Franchises may value players who have competed in demanding matches and understand how to handle different tactical situations.

However, her final auction value will depend on availability, team requirements and bidding competition. Franchises must also consider whether they have enough money remaining to complete their squads after signing a high-profile player.

Prediction: Molineux could be among the auction’s more expensive purchases if multiple teams compete for her services. A bid above her ₹50 lakh base price is possible, but the final amount will depend on demand.

2. Sophia Dunkley Could Trigger a Bidding Contest

England batter Sophia Dunkley shares the highest base-price category with Molineux. Her ability to strengthen the batting order could make her a candidate for teams seeking greater top-order depth or an alternative attacking option.

Dunkley’s value will depend on how franchises assess their batting combinations. A team that already has a settled top order may not prioritise another batter, while a side needing an overseas run-scorer could give her greater consideration.

What Makes Her an Interesting Target?

Top-order batters can influence a T20 innings by using the powerplay effectively and creating a platform for the middle order. Dunkley’s international experience could appeal to a franchise looking for an established overseas batter.

Nevertheless, teams have only seven overseas positions available across the league. That restriction may affect how aggressively franchises bid for overseas batters, especially when all-rounders and specialist bowlers are also available.

Prediction: Dunkley could move above her ₹50 lakh base price if a team identifies her as a priority signing. A major bidding contest is possible, but she is not guaranteed to be the auction’s most expensive player.

3. G. Kamalini Could Become an Important Indian Purchase

G. Kamalini is among the players registered at a base price of ₹40 lakh. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter could interest franchises looking for domestic batting depth and another option behind the stumps.

Indian players are particularly important in this auction because 20 of the 27 available positions are allocated to domestic players. Franchises cannot rely exclusively on overseas signings to complete their squads.

Why Could Her Price Rise?

Kamalini offers a combination of wicketkeeping and batting, which can be useful when a franchise needs flexibility in its playing XI. A domestic wicketkeeper who can also contribute with the bat may fill more than one squad requirement.

The level of interest will depend on the wicketkeepers already retained by each franchise and whether teams prefer an established player or a younger option.

Prediction: Kamalini could attract a competitive bid if multiple teams need a domestic wicketkeeper-batter. Her ₹40 lakh base price gives a starting point, but the final amount will depend on how many franchises consider her a priority.

4. Kiran Navgire Could Attract Attention for Her Batting

Kiran Navgire is another Indian player in the ₹40 lakh base-price category. Known for her power-hitting, she could be an option for franchises seeking a batter who can change the pace of an innings.

T20 teams often look for batters who can score quickly when the required run rate rises. However, power-hitting alone does not determine a player’s value; teams also consider consistency, role suitability and the ability to perform against different bowling styles.

Which Teams Might Consider Her?

A franchise looking for middle-order power could assess Navgire alongside other available Indian batters. Teams with established top orders may be more interested in a player who can accelerate later in the innings.

The decision will also depend on how much money remains after the first group of players is sold. Franchises with limited purses may have to avoid a prolonged bidding contest.

Prediction: Navgire could be one of the more closely watched Indian batters in the ₹40 lakh category, particularly if several teams need power-hitting options.

5. Chamari Athapaththu Could Offer Value at ₹30 Lakh

Chamari Athapaththu has registered at a base price of ₹30 lakh. The Sri Lankan all-rounder is an experienced international player who can contribute with both bat and ball.

Her attacking approach could appeal to a franchise that needs a player capable of scoring quickly at the top of the order. She can also provide a bowling option, although her role would depend on the team’s preferred combination.

Why Could She Be a Valuable Signing?

Athapaththu’s all-round profile gives coaches several possible ways to use her. A team could consider her as an attacking batter who also provides bowling depth, rather than treating her as a specialist in only one department.

Her price could rise if franchises believe she fits a specific role better than the alternatives. At the same time, the limited number of overseas slots may prevent some teams from entering a bidding contest.

Prediction: Athapaththu could attract bids above ₹30 lakh if there is strong demand for an experienced overseas all-rounder. Her final price will depend on the number of interested teams.

6. Grace Harris Could Be One of the Most Interesting ₹30 Lakh Targets

Australian all-rounder Grace Harris is another notable name registered at ₹30 lakh. Her aggressive batting and ability to contribute with the ball could make her attractive to a team that needs power and flexibility.

Harris can provide an attacking option when the innings requires acceleration. In addition, her all-round skills may allow a captain to adjust the batting order or bowling combination according to the match situation.

What Could Increase Her Auction Value?

A franchise with a need for middle-order power may value Harris more highly than a team that already has several similar players. This is why the same player can attract very different levels of interest from different teams.

Her final price will also depend on overseas availability. With only seven overseas slots remaining across the league, franchises must decide which international players offer the greatest benefit.

Prediction: Harris could become one of the more competitive names in the ₹30 lakh bracket if teams prioritise all-rounders and power-hitters.

7. Jess Jonassen and Heather Graham Could Attract Overseas Bids

Jess Jonassen and Heather Graham have both registered at a base price of ₹40 lakh. Their all-round capabilities could make them attractive to franchises that want additional bowling options without sacrificing batting depth.

Jess Jonassen

Jonassen is a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder. Her experience and bowling style could interest a team that needs another specialist spin option and a batter who can contribute lower down the order.

A franchise would need to consider how she fits with its existing overseas players and whether the remaining purse supports a bid above her base price.

Prediction: Jonassen could attract interest from a team seeking an experienced spin-bowling all-rounder, although overseas-slot restrictions may limit the number of bidders.

Heather Graham

Graham offers seam bowling and batting, giving teams another all-round option. Such players can provide flexibility in the playing XI, especially when franchises want additional bowling depth and batting cover.

The main question will be whether a team needs her particular skill set more than other overseas candidates.

Prediction: Graham could be a useful target for a franchise that needs an overseas pace-bowling all-rounder. Strong demand could lift her price beyond ₹40 lakh, but the outcome remains uncertain.

8. Sneh Rana Could Be an Important Domestic Signing

Sneh Rana is among the Indian players registered at a base price of ₹30 lakh. As an all-rounder who offers off-spin bowling and batting, she could appeal to franchises looking for domestic experience.

Indian all-rounders can be especially valuable because they help teams manage their overseas combinations while maintaining balance across the XI.

Why Could Her Price Increase?

A franchise searching for an experienced domestic spinner may view Rana as a useful addition. Her ability to contribute with the bat can also provide depth, depending on the team’s requirements.

However, the auction includes many Indian players, and franchises will compare candidates based on role, form, availability and budget.

Prediction: Rana could attract interest if teams prioritise experienced Indian all-rounders. Her price may rise if multiple franchises need a similar profile.

Predicted Players Who Could Attract the Biggest Bids

The following table presents a qualitative forecast based on base prices, playing roles and likely squad requirements. These are illustrative estimates rather than confirmed auction values.

This is a watchlist, not a definitive ranking of the most expensive purchases. A player with a lower base price could finish above a higher-priced candidate if more franchises compete for that player’s role.

Which Team Could Make the Biggest Purchase?

UP Warriorz could be an important franchise to watch because they have the largest remaining purse. Following the Tara Norris trade, they have ₹3.75 crore available and eight positions to fill.

That financial flexibility may allow UP Warriorz to compete for priority targets. However, the team must also complete a larger number of positions, so spending heavily on one player could restrict its options elsewhere.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have ₹1.15 crore remaining and two overseas slots. They may focus on players who fill specific gaps rather than engaging in every major bidding contest.

Delhi Capitals have ₹1.10 crore and one overseas position, while Gujarat Giants have ₹1.25 crore and only three vacancies. Mumbai Indians have ₹90 lakh and six positions to fill, with no standard overseas slots available after the trade.

As a result, the biggest purchase will depend on both player demand and the available budget. The team with the largest purse will not necessarily win every bidding contest.

What Could Change These Predictions?

Several factors could change the expected price of a player during the auction.

• Bidding competition: Two or more teams targeting the same player can push the price higher.
• Overseas slots: Limited overseas positions may reduce the number of competing franchises.
• Squad requirements: A specialist who fills a major gap may attract more interest than a similarly priced player in a well-stocked role.
• Remaining budget: Teams must reserve enough money to complete all their required positions.
• Auction order: The timing of a player’s appearance can affect how much money franchises have left to bid.

Therefore, predicted prices should be treated as possibilities rather than guarantees. The auction room can produce unexpected outcomes when team priorities change.

FAQs

1. Who could be the most expensive player in the WPL 2027 auction?

Sophie Molineux and Sophia Dunkley are leading candidates to attract major bids because they have registered at the highest base price of ₹50 lakh.

2. Which Indian players could attract strong bids in the WPL 2027 auction?

G. Kamalini, Kiran Navgire and Sneh Rana could attract interest from franchises seeking domestic batting and all-round options.

3. Could Grace Harris attract a bid above ₹30 lakh?

Yes, Grace Harris could attract a bid above her ₹30 lakh base price if multiple franchises compete for her all-round skills.

4. Which WPL 2027 team has the largest remaining purse?

UP Warriorz have the largest remaining purse at ₹3.75 crore following the Tara Norris trade.

5. Are the predicted WPL 2027 auction prices confirmed?

No, the predicted prices are estimates, and the actual amounts will be determined by bidding on auction day.