Sophie Molineux tops WPL 2027 auction as UP Warriorz spend INR 1.1 crore
Australia captain Sophie Molineux became the highest-paid player at the WPL 2027 auction, joining UP Warriorz for INR 1.1 crore, while India's Kiran Navgire was the most expensive Indian player at INR 75 lakh.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux was the top purchase at the Women's Premier League 2027 auction in Kochi, signing with UP Warriorz for INR 1.1 crore (about USD 120,000). India’s middle-order batter Kiran Navgire fetched the highest price among Indian players, moving to Delhi Capitals for INR 75 lakh.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) entered the accelerated round after passing on early bids, acquiring Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen for INR 40 lakh and South Africa’s Chloe Tryon for INR 30 lakh. Former RCB player Grace Harris returned to UP Warriorz for INR 30 lakh.
UP Warriorz filled all eight of their available slots, spending INR 3.75 crore. Their director of cricket, Kshemal Waingankar, said the team secured Molineux "at any cost" to add leadership and bowling depth, and highlighted the flexibility offered by Harris in the middle order.
Mumbai Indians, operating with the smallest purse of INR 90 lakh, focused on uncapped talent, signing six newcomers including Shweta Sehrawat and Akshita Bhagat. Twelve of the 25 players sold were uncapped Indian players.
Other notable moves included Gujarat Giants buying wicket-keeper G Kamalini for INR 40 lakh and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast for INR 30 lakh, while Delhi Capitals added 15-year-old Karnataka all-rounder Uma Kashvi for INR 10 lakh, making her the youngest player ever sold at a WPL auction.
"Obviously, with the retentions, we had a sort of solid core group that we were able to retain," MI head coach Luke Williams said, adding that the team was pleased with the depth added through the auction.
"We were going to get Molineux at any cost," Waingankar said, noting that her combination with Grace Harris would give the side tactical options.
"I would agree, yes [that Grace was a steal for 30 lakh]," a team representative added, praising Harris’s previous impact for the franchise.
"The UP Warriorz spin attack is very strong," all-rounder Sneh Rana told Jiostar, expressing excitement to play under captain Meg Lanning.
The auction concluded with 25 of 27 slots filled; only RCB and Delhi Capitals each retained one vacancy.