Excitement Builds for WPL 2027 Auction in Kochi

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction is set to take place in Kochi, with 146 players available for bidding. Teams like UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians are preparing to fill crucial slots, while notable players such as G Kamalini and Sophie Molineux are expected to attract significant interest. As franchises strategize for the upcoming season, the focus will be on developing young talent and securing key positions. The excitement builds as the tournament approaches, promising a thrilling competition ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 28, 2026, 11:18 IST

WPL 2027 Auction Set to Kick Off

Kochi (Keralam) [India], October 28: The auction for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 is scheduled to commence in Kochi on Wednesday at 5:30 PM, as all five franchises prepare to finalize their teams ahead of the tournament's fifth season.

A total of 146 players will be available for bidding, with 27 positions open across the franchises. Notable players expected to draw attention include Indian talents G Kamalini, Sneh Rana, and Sushma Verma, along with Australian stars Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, and Sophie Molineux.

UP Warriorz (UPW) is anticipated to be the most active team during the auction, needing to fill eight slots with a budget of Rs 3.75 crore. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians (MI) have six positions to fill but only Rs 90 lakh remaining in their budget. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Gujarat Giants (GG), who all reached the playoffs last season, have retained most of their core players and only need to fill a few gaps. Defending champions RCB will have their star all-rounder Ellyse Perry available this season, prompting them to seek local talent to support their quest for a third title.

In a discussion on JioStar’s ‘Follow the Blues: The Dawn of Captain Smriti’, Mandhana emphasized the WPL's role in nurturing future talent, stating, “The WPL has significantly contributed to identifying several players, and now it’s our duty to develop them into match-winners. We have a promising group of eight to nine players aged 19-24 who have shown great potential during the India A series. It’s crucial for us to guide them and help them lead the way for India.”

JioStar analyst Veda Krishnamurthy noted that Indian wicketkeepers are likely to be in high demand, with at least three teams searching for their primary keepers at the auction. “I believe Indian wicketkeepers will be sought after, as several teams are on the lookout for them. I’m particularly interested in how some domestic players perform in the auction. Sophie Molineux is another key player to watch, given her experience and past success with RCB,” she remarked.

Krishnamurthy also mentioned the intrigue surrounding G Kamalini, a wicketkeeper, and how teams will vie for her services. “The options are limited, and teams must clearly define their needs, ensuring they have multiple candidates for each role, as the auction can take unexpected turns,” she added.

The fifth season of the TATA WPL is set to run from January 14 to February 7. While four-time finalists Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz aim for their first title, RCB and MI will be eager to enhance their trophy collections, each having won two titles as they finalize their squads in Kochi.