Cricket

Sophie Molineux Headlines WPL 2027 Auction with Landmark Rs 1.1 Crore Deal

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 28, 2026, 22:12 IST

Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux emerged as the top acquisition at the WPL 2027 auction, securing a Rs 1.1 crore contract with UP Warriorz as franchises finalized their squads for the upcoming season.

Sophie Molineux Headlines WPL 2027 Auction with Landmark Rs 1.1 Crore Deal

The WPL 2027 auction concluded with a flurry of activity as franchises strategically reshaped their squads, blending seasoned international talent with emerging domestic prospects. Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux headlined the proceedings, commanding the highest bid of the day. UP Warriorz secured her services for Rs 1.1 crore, a significant increase from her base price of Rs 50 lakh, marking her as the standout signing of the event.

Beyond the marquee deal for Molineux, the auction saw several players attract competitive bidding that pushed their final prices well above their initial valuations. Delhi Capitals Women made a notable investment in batter Kiran Navgire, securing her for Rs 75 lakh against a base price of Rs 40 lakh. Similarly, Shweta Sehrawat saw her value double, moving from a Rs 10 lakh base price to a Rs 20 lakh contract with Mumbai Indians Women.

Strategic Squad Building and Key Signings

Franchises placed a clear emphasis on versatility, with a strong focus on acquiring all-rounders capable of impacting both the batting and bowling departments. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women bolstered their roster by signing Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 lakh and Chloe Tryon for Rs 30 lakh. UP Warriorz continued their aggressive recruitment strategy by adding Grace Harris and Sneh Rana to their ranks, both at a price of Rs 30 lakh, alongside Kathryn Bryce.

The auction data reflects a diverse range of acquisitions across the five franchises. UP Warriorz led the volume of signings with eight players, followed by Mumbai Indians Women with six. Delhi Capitals Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women each added four players to their squads, while Gujarat Giants secured three. Other notable signings included Gunalan Kamalini, who joined Gujarat Giants for Rs 40 lakh, and Kirstie Gordon, who was picked up by Delhi Capitals Women.

Unsold Players and Auction Dynamics

While the auction provided opportunities for many, a number of established cricketers remained unsold. The list of players who did not find a franchise includes notable international names such as Chamari Athapaththu and Sophia Dunkley, as well as domestic talents like Devika Vaidya and Uma Chetry. In total, 24 players secured contracts, while 28 players from the provided list remained unsold.

Industry experts note that an unsold status often reflects the specific tactical requirements and budget constraints of individual franchises rather than a lack of individual ability. With the auction now complete, teams have finalized their compositions, setting the stage for the upcoming WPL 2027 season. The focus now shifts to how these new signings will integrate into their respective setups as preparations for the tournament intensify.