WPL 2027 Auction: Biggest Purse, Top Players and Team Strategies

The WPL 2027 Auction will open a new chapter for the Women’s Premier League as five franchises prepare to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. Scheduled for October 28, 2026, in Kochi, the auction will see 146 players compete for 27 available slots, making every bidding decision crucial for teams building a title-winning combination.

With established international stars, experienced Indian cricketers and promising uncapped players in the auction pool, franchises will have to balance immediate performance with long-term squad development. UP Warriorz enter the auction with the biggest reported purse, while defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to maintain the strength of their championship-winning squad.

Here’s everything you need to know about the WPL 2027 auction, including the team purses, players to watch, and potential strategies.

WPL 2027 Auction: Date, Venue and Key Details

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed the auction details ahead of the fifth edition of the Women’s Premier League. The tournament is scheduled for January 14 to February 7, 2027.

Here are the important details:

According to the official WPL announcement, the player pool includes 22 capped Indian players, 97 uncapped Indian players, 14 capped overseas players and 13 uncapped overseas players. The available positions comprise 20 Indian and seven overseas slots.

The limited vacancies mean competition will be intense. Teams must identify players who can fill specific roles rather than simply spend money on the biggest names.

WPL 2027 Auction Purse: Which Team Has the Biggest Budget?

The team purse is among the biggest talking points ahead of the WPL 2027 auction. Each franchise began the season’s squad-building process with an overall allocation of ₹15 crore, but the money available for the auction varies based on player retention and releases.

UP Warriorz have the biggest reported remaining purse at ₹3.75 crore, giving them more financial flexibility than their rivals. Gujarat Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians have considerably smaller reported budgets.

Purse figures are based on the latest available information as of October 26, 2026, ahead of the WPL 2027 auction on October 28.

UP Warriorz Have the Most Money to Spend

UP Warriorz have eight available slots, including five Indian and three overseas positions. Their larger purse provides an opportunity to address weaknesses across several departments.

After finishing last in the standings in 2026, the franchise will be keen to build a more balanced squad. Their priorities could include adding reliable batters, strengthening the bowling attack, and finding players who can perform consistently under pressure.

However, a larger purse does not automatically guarantee success. The team’s auction strategy will depend on how effectively it identifies players who fit its requirements without overspending on individual signings.

How Much Can the Other Teams Spend?

Gujarat Giants have ₹1.25 crore available, while defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have ₹1.15 crore. Delhi Capitals enter with ₹1.10 crore, and Mumbai Indians have ₹90 lakh remaining.

With relatively limited budgets, these teams will need to prioritize their vacancies carefully. Finding affordable domestic talent and securing players who can perform multiple roles could prove especially valuable.

WPL 2027 Auction: Top Players to Watch Several international cricketers could attract attention during the WPL 2027 auction. Their experience, versatility, and ability to contribute in different match situations make them interesting options for franchises looking to improve their squads.

Sophie Molineux

Australia’s Sophie Molineux is one of the headline names in the auction pool. The left-arm spinner has registered at a base price of ₹50 lakh, the highest permitted category for this auction.

Molineux offers a combination of bowling control and lower-order batting. Her previous association with Royal Challengers Bengaluru also makes her an intriguing name for a franchise familiar with her abilities.

If multiple teams need a left-arm spin option who can contribute with the bat, she could become a key target. However, the final level of interest will depend on team requirements and competing bids.

Sophia Dunkley

England batter Sophia Dunkley has also registered at a base price of ₹50 lakh. Her presence gives franchises another experienced international batting option.

Dunkley’s attacking approach could appeal to teams seeking greater intent at the top of the order or additional depth in their batting lineup. Her eventual destination will depend on which franchises identify a suitable role for her.

Grace Harris

Grace Harris is another notable player to watch after being released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The Australian all-rounder can provide explosive batting and useful bowling, making her a potentially valuable option for teams looking to strengthen more than one department with a single signing.

UP Warriorz could be among the franchises considering their options carefully, given their larger purse and multiple vacancies. Nevertheless, any potential move will depend on their final priorities and the bidding competition.

Jess Jonassen

Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen is also available at a base price of ₹40 lakh. Previously with Delhi Capitals, she offers experience with both bat and ball.

A team looking for a dependable left-arm spin option and lower-order batting could consider her profile. Her value will depend on the squad balance and the availability of overseas slots.

WPL 2027 Auction: Surprise Releases to Watch Player releases can be as significant as new signings, especially when franchises try to free up money and reshape their squads.

Why Did UP Warriorz Release Shweta Sehrawat?

Shweta Sehrawat’s release is a major talking point ahead of the auction. She scored just 46 runs in six innings during the 2026 season, with a strike rate below 100.

With Pratika Rawal available to strengthen the top order, UP Warriorz may have decided to explore other options. Releasing Sehrawat frees up ₹50 lakh, and the franchise could consider signing her again at a lower price.

Why Did Mumbai Indians Release G Kamalini?

Mumbai Indians’ decision to release G Kamalini may be linked to her potential participation in the next ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which could overlap with the WPL season.

MI had previously retained her for ₹1.10 crore. Releasing her could give the franchise greater financial flexibility if her availability for the tournament is uncertain.

Why Are So Many English Players Missing From the WPL 2027 Auction? Only two English players, Sophia Dunkley and Kira Chathli, have registered for the auction. Several familiar names, including Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith, are absent.

The comparatively higher salaries available in England’s The Hundred and a potential clash with England’s February T20I schedule in Sri Lanka may have influenced participation.

For WPL franchises, the smaller pool of English players could mean looking more closely at alternatives from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and other cricketing nations

Uncapped Indian Players Who Could Attract Attention The WPL 2027 auction is not only about international stars. With 97 uncapped Indian players in the auction pool, franchises can discover domestic talent that could develop into key contributors.

Vrinda Dinesh

Vrinda Dinesh is one Indian batter worth watching. She could attract interest from teams looking to strengthen their domestic batting options and add depth to their lineup.

For franchises on limited budgets, emerging Indian batters could offer a practical way to add squad depth while saving funds for other positions.

Gongadi Trisha

Gongadi Trisha is another name to follow. The young Indian cricketer has drawn attention for her youth-level performances, including the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Her inclusion highlights the opportunities the WPL offers emerging players. A franchise willing to invest in developing young talent could see potential value in adding her to its squad.

Ira Jadhav

Mumbai’s Ira Jadhav is another young batter who could attract attention during the auction. At just 15, she represents emerging talent for franchises willing to look beyond established international names.

However, selection will depend on team requirements, assessments of her current abilities, and the competition for available slots.

WPL 2027 Auction: Team-Wise Strategies Each franchise enters the auction with different requirements, making the bidding process more than a contest over individual players.

UP Warriorz: Their eight vacancies and larger purse give them the greatest reported financial flexibility. They will focus on improving squad balance and adding players who can deliver consistent performances.

Gujarat Giants: With three available slots and ₹1.25 crore stated, Gujarat will need to make targeted decisions. Finding the right mix of domestic and overseas talent could matter more than expensive signings.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: The defending champions will want to preserve the core of their successful squad while addressing any remaining gaps. Their limited purse makes efficient spending particularly important.

Delhi Capitals: Delhi have five vacancies to fill and ₹1.10 crore announced. The franchise could focus on strengthening specific roles and maintaining a balanced combination of experienced players and younger talent.

Mumbai Indians: With ₹90 lakh available, Mumbai will need to use their remaining budget carefully. Identifying affordable players who can contribute immediately could be central to their auction approach.

These are potential strategies based on reported budgets and vacancies, not confirmed franchise plans.

What to Expect From the WPL 2027 Auction?

The WPL 2027 auction guarantees an interesting mix of established international cricketers and emerging Indian talent. While UP Warriorz have the largest reported purse, other franchises will look to make their available funds count.

Players such as Sophie Molineux, Sophia Dunkley, Grace Harris and Jess Jonassen could attract attention, while uncapped Indians such as Vrinda Dinesh, Gongadi Trisha and Ira Jadhav offer teams opportunities to strengthen their domestic core.

Ultimately, the most successful auction strategy may not be the one involving the biggest individual signing. It will be the one that fills key gaps, builds a balanced squad, and prepares the franchise for the challenges of the 2027 season.

With 146 players competing for only 27 available positions, every signing could make a difference. The Kochi auction will offer the first major indication of how the five franchises plan to approach the next WPL season.