The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 mini-auction has reshaped the squads of all five franchises, with teams targeting specific gaps ahead of the upcoming season. Held in Kochi on October 28, the auction featured 150 players and provided an opportunity for franchises to strengthen their batting, bowling and all-round options.
UP Warriorz made one of the biggest moves by signing Australia all-rounder Sophie Molineux for ₹1.10 crore, making her the most expensive player at the auction. Delhi Capitals added explosive Indian batter Kiran Navgire for ₹75 lakh, while Gujarat Giants secured wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini for ₹40 lakh.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians also made important additions as the teams finalised their squads for WPL 2027. With experienced international stars and emerging Indian players forming the core of each side, the competition promises another closely fought season.
The auction produced several notable moves as franchises worked to strengthen their combinations.
Molineux’s signing was the standout deal, while the return of familiar players to certain franchises added further interest to the auction.
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Mumbai Indians retained a strong core led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and supported by established international players such as Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail.
The franchise added several Indian players during the auction, including Shweta Sehrawat, Disha Kasat, Latika Inamdar, Bharti Rawal, Sanika Chalke and Akshita Bhagat.
Mumbai’s strength lies in its international experience and the versatility of its all-rounders. Sciver-Brunt, Matthews and Kerr can contribute in multiple departments, giving the team flexibility when selecting its playing XI.
The challenge will be integrating the new domestic recruits into a settled combination. If the younger players adapt quickly and the senior core maintains its form, Mumbai Indians should have the resources to challenge for another title.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered the auction with an established core featuring Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk and Lauren Bell.
The franchise added Jess Jonassen, Chloe Tryon, Tejal Hasabnis and Vrinda Dinesh to its squad. These signings provide additional options in the all-round department and greater depth across the batting order.
Mandhana and Perry remain key figures in RCB’s batting plans, while Ghosh offers wicketkeeping ability and aggressive middle-order batting. The bowling group also includes experienced international options and Indian players such as Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav and Pooja Vastrakar.
RCB’s main task will be balancing its overseas stars with its domestic talent. A settled combination could help the franchise build on its previous success in the competition.
Delhi Capitals strengthened their squad by signing Kiran Navgire for ₹75 lakh, one of the most notable Indian-player purchases of the auction.
Navgire joins a group that includes Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp and Chinelle Henry. This combination gives Delhi several batting options as well as experienced all-rounders who can contribute with the ball.
The team also added Uma Kashvi, Kirstie Gordon and Nazma Khan to its squad. These additions provide further depth as Delhi prepare for the season.
Delhi have reached the WPL final on multiple occasions but will be keen to turn their strong performances into another title-winning campaign. Navgire’s ability to attack from the start could be valuable, particularly if the top order provides consistent foundations.
The franchise’s prospects will depend on how effectively its power hitters and all-rounders work together throughout the tournament.
Gujarat Giants retained key players including Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth and Renuka Singh Thakur.
Their auction additions included G Kamalini, Irish all-rounder Orla Prendergast and Samaira Raghav. Kamalini provides another wicketkeeping and batting option, while Prendergast adds international experience and versatility.
Gujarat also have established Indian players such as Kashvee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Yastika Bhatia.
Gardner’s all-round ability will remain important to the team’s balance, while Mooney offers experience at the top of the order. The franchise will need consistent performances from its domestic players to support its international stars.
The success of Gujarat’s auction strategy will depend on whether the new additions can strengthen the team’s weaker areas and provide more consistency across the season.
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UP Warriorz made one of the most significant moves of the auction by signing Sophie Molineux for ₹1.10 crore. The Australian all-rounder was the most expensive player purchased at the event.
The franchise also brought back Grace Harris and signed Sneh Rana, adding experience and further options in both batting and bowling. Other new additions included Sushma Verma, Kathryn Bryce, Manali Dakshini, Sahana Pawar and Asha Sobhana.
UP Warriorz already have a strong group of players, including Deepti Sharma, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey and Pratika Rawal.
Molineux could be especially valuable because of her ability to contribute with both bat and ball. Alongside Deepti and Ecclestone, she gives the team several spin-bowling options, while Lanning and Litchfield offer international quality in the batting lineup.
UP Warriorz entered the auction with the largest available purse and were among the most active franchises. Their challenge will be turning these individual signings into a cohesive team capable of maintaining consistency across the tournament.
Each franchise has a different strength heading into the new season. Mumbai Indians have a proven international core, RCB have depth across several departments, Delhi Capitals have added batting firepower, and Gujarat Giants will look to improve their consistency.
UP Warriorz stand out for their aggressive recruitment strategy, particularly the addition of Molineux and the return of Harris. However, auction spending alone does not determine how a team will perform once the tournament begins.
A squad’s success will depend on player availability, fitness, combinations, performances under pressure and the ability to adapt to different pitches and match situations.
On paper, Mumbai Indians and RCB possess considerable experience, while UP Warriorz have added significant versatility. Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants also have the ingredients to challenge if their new signings deliver consistently.
The WPL 2027 auction has given all five franchises new combinations to work with. The addition of established international players and promising Indian talent should create competition for places and provide teams with more tactical options.
Sophie Molineux will be one of the players to watch following her high-value move to UP Warriorz. Kiran Navgire’s arrival at Delhi Capitals and the additions made by RCB, Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians will also attract attention as teams prepare for the season.
Ultimately, the strongest squad on paper will need to deliver on the field. Team chemistry, consistent performances and smart captaincy decisions are likely to play a major role in determining which franchise lifts the WPL 2027 trophy.
Squad assessments are based on reported auction signings and announced team compositions. Final playing combinations may change depending on player availability and team strategy.

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