WPL 2027 Auction: Molineux Tops Buys at Rs 1.1 Crore as Warriorz Stock Up on Spin

Australian captain Sophie Molineux was the most expensive player at the WPL 2027 mini-auction in Kochi on Wednesday, joining UP Warriorz for Rs 1.1 crore after a bidding contest with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

UP Warriorz, who entered the auction with the largest remaining purse at Rs 3.75 crore and eight slots to fill, also picked up India all-rounder Sneh Rana and Australia Grace Harris for Rs 30 lakh each, plus former India wicketkeeper Sushma Verma for Rs 30 lakh, building a spin-heavy squad around Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone.

Delhi Capitals made the biggest Indian signing of the day, paying Rs 75 lakh for hard-hitting batter Kiran Navgire after a battle with Mumbai Indians, while Gujarat Giants signed young batter G Kamalini for Rs 40 lakh and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast for Rs 30 lakh.

Other notable deals

Royal Challengers Bengaluru added Australia all-rounder Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 lakh, while Mumbai Indians shopped in the uncapped market, picking up Disha Kasat and Latika Inamdar for Rs 10 lakh each. Shweta Sehrawat was the most expensive uncapped player of the later rounds at Rs 20 lakh to Mumbai.

Big names go unsold

There were surprises too, with Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, young India pacer Titas Sadhu and Mumbai spinner Saika Ishaque all going unsold, a reminder of how quickly auction dynamics can change from season to season.

Source: Mathrubhumi / Business Standard