UP Warriorz secure Sophie Molineux for Rs 1.10 crore, DC get Kiran Navgire

At the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 player auction, UP Warriorz made the most significant moves, acquiring Australia captain Sophie Molineux for INR 1.10 crore and reacquiring Grace Harris at her base price of INR 30 lakh. They also reunited with Asha Shobna, who had been bought for INR 1.10 crore at the previous auction before being released, for just INR 30 lakh this time.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Molineux's former team, expressed interest, but the defending champions pulled out for INR 1.05 crore, despite having only INR 1.15 crore when they entered the auction. Harris, who made her WPL debut in 2023 with UP Warriorz, returns after RCB won the title in 2026.

Sneh Rana, an India all-rounder, and Sushma Verma, an experienced wicketkeeper, were also added by the Warriorz for INR 30 lakh each at their base prices. After five seasons, Rana will represent her fourth different franchise. Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar were added to UPW's roster to further strengthen it.

Kiran Navgire was purchased by the Delhi Capitals after a brief bidding war with the Mumbai Indians. Delhi was able to acquire the Indian superstar after MI eventually gave up at INR 70 lakh.

Gujarat Giants picked up wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini for INR 40 lakh, her base price, and Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast for INR 30 lakh. Prendergast will be the first Irish player to play in the WPL. The Delhi legspin-bowling all-rounder and late addition to the auction list Samaira Raghav was also signed by the Giants at her base price.

Mumbai Indians, who had the lowest bid of INR 90 lakh when they entered the auction, purchased Delhi left-arm spinner Bharti Rawal, Vidarbha middle-order batter Disha Kasat, and wicketkeeper Latika Inamdar for base prices. Each of the three was purchased for INR 10 lakh. In the 2023 and 2024 editions, Kasat was previously associated with RCB. MI also added uncapped left-handed Mumbai batter Saanika Chalke for INR 10 lakh in the accelerated rounds and signed Shweta Sehrawat, Delhi's opening batter, after she spent the first four seasons with UP Warriorz.

After being relatively quiet through the initial rounds, RCB signed Australian allrounder Jess Jonassen at her base price of INR 40 lakh. The left-arm spin bowler and all-rounder had played for Delhi Capitals for the first three seasons of the WPL. Chloe Tryon, a South African all-rounder who played for Mumbai Indians for three years before making her WPL debut for UP Warriorz last season, rounded out RCB's overseas roster.

Vrinda Dinesh and Tejal Hasabnis were signed in the second accelerated round by the Bengaluru franchise, which also returned to the auction for two Indian players who had previously been unsuccessfully sold. On the other hand, DC added Karnataka's teenage allrounder Uma Kasvi for her base price of INR 10 lakh.

Scotland's Kathryn Bryce was the first Associate player to be offered, and Warriorz bought her for INR 10 lakh. Bryce had previously represented Gujarat Giants in the WPL. Kirstie Gordon, a fellow Indian, followed suit and signed with Delhi Capitals for the same starting salary.

The fifth season of the WPL will begin on January 14 at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara and CCI in Mumbai, respectively.