The upcoming 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL) player auction is set to take place in Kochi on October 28, marking a critical juncture for the five participating franchises as they look to finalize their squads. With only 27 roster spots remaining, competition is expected to be fierce among the 146 registered cricketers vying for a place in the league.
The auction pool consists of 119 Indian players, split between 22 capped and 97 uncapped individuals, alongside 27 overseas recruits. Among the international contingent, 14 are capped, 13 are uncapped, and six represent Associate Nations. Franchises have been allocated 20 spots for domestic talent and seven for overseas signings, with the proceedings scheduled to commence at 5:30 PM.
Star Talent and Strategic Trades
England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux have emerged as the headline names for the event, both entering the auction with the highest base price of Rs 50 lakh. Other notable players in the next tier include India’s G Kamalini and Kiran Navgire, as well as Australia’s Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen, all of whom have set their base price at Rs 40 lakh. Furthermore, 30 additional players have registered at the Rs 30 lakh mark.
In a significant development ahead of the auction, the Mumbai Indians have bolstered their bowling attack by acquiring USA left-arm seamer Tara Norris from the UP Warriorz at her base price of Rs 10 lakh. Norris, who previously played for the Delhi Capitals in the 2023 inaugural season, is well-regarded for her performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Brabourne Stadium, where she recorded figures of 5/29. That performance saw her dismiss key batters including Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, and Richa Ghosh, establishing her as the first bowler in the tournament's history to claim a five-wicket haul.
As franchises prepare for the Kochi auction, the focus will remain on managing remaining budgets and addressing specific squad requirements. With limited vacancies available, teams will need to be precise in their bidding strategies to ensure they build the most effective combinations for the 2027 season.
