WPL 2027 auction shapes squads for five franchises

The player auction for the 2027 Women's Premier League has completed, leaving each of the five franchises with distinct strengths and gaps. UP Warriorz entered the auction with the largest purse, acquiring eight players including off-spinner Sneh Rana and leg-spinner Asha Sobhana. The side also secured Scotland’s associate-nation player Kathryn Bryce at her base price, giving them flexibility to field five overseas players.

"[We were going to get Molineux] at any cost. Grace [Harris] brings power to the middle order, Sophie Molineux obviously leadership qualities, an exceptional bowler and fantastic with the team in general. Our thought was her and Sophie Ecclestone together would be a lethal force," said UP Warriorz COO and director of cricket Kshemal Waingankar. Delhi Capitals, after releasing Lizelle Lee, faced a shortage of wicket-keeper-batters and did not purchase a specialist keeper at the auction. They plan to rely on uncapped Madiwala Mamatha behind the stumps and have added hard-hitting Indian batter Kiran Navgire, whom head coach Jonathan Batty described as a "dynamic" player who can provide power in the middle order. "We identified early we wanted a hard-hitting or dynamic Indian batter. And we got that in Kiran Navgire early. She's one of the most dynamic batters in the auction. She's a wonderful player of spin through the middle order," Batty said. Mumbai Indians entered with the smallest budget, focusing on six uncapped players to build depth. New head coach Luke Williams highlighted the aim of adding versatile options for different surfaces and potential injuries. "With the retentions, we had a sort of solid core group that we were able to retain. So, certainly, today was about trying to add to the group, whether that's in the starting XI potentially, or if not, providing different options and coverage through the tournament," Williams explained. Gujarat Giants reinforced their wicket-keeping department with G Kamalini and added Ireland’s Orla Prendergast, the first Irish player in the league, along with 16-year-old all-rounder Samaira Raghav. Head coach Michael Klinger praised Prendergast’s versatility. "We felt Kamalini was the best batter in the auction and we were looking for an all-rounder in our squad. Orla Prendergast is a medium-pace all-rounder; I was lucky enough to work with her at Welsh Fire in the Hundred this year. The versatility she can give us in our squad whether there's an injury, whether we want another overseas medium-pace option, she can bat in the top six or seven," Klinger said. Royal Challengers Bangalore, defending champions, did not need to purchase any players to remain competitive but added Jess Jonassen, Chloe Tryon and experienced Indian batter Tejal Hasabnis to broaden their options. "We, I think for lack of a better phrase, tried to throw the kitchen sink at Sophie Molineux. Would have loved to have her. Everybody knows how good a cricketer she is. But a similar left-arm spinner and who also gives us depth with batting was JJ [Jess Jonassen], who was very high on our ranking list also. It just so worked out that JJ came later in the auction," head coach Malolan Rangarajan said.