TATA WPL Auction 2027: Full Highlights, Top Buys, Teams and Key Takeaways
The TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) Auction 2027 brought excitement and intense bidding as five franchises strengthened their squads for the upcoming season. Held on October 28, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Kochi in Kerala, the mini-auction gave teams an opportunity to fill important gaps and assemble competitive combinations ahead of the fifth edition of the tournament.
With established international stars, experienced Indian cricketers and emerging domestic talent available, the auction played a crucial role in shaping the teams for WPL 2027. A total of 25 players were sold, including seven overseas players, while franchises spent ₹73.1 crore across the completed auction process, according to the official WPL auction summary.
TATA WPL Auction 2027: Date, Time and Venue
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) scheduled the player auction for Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The event began at 5:30 PM IST in Kochi, marking the city’s first time hosting a WPL auction.
The auction was conducted ahead of the fifth WPL season, which is scheduled to run from January 14 to February 7, 2027. All five franchises entered the event with different squad requirements and remaining budgets, making strategic bidding essential.
Sophie Molineux Becomes the Biggest Buy
Australia’s Sophie Molineux emerged as the most expensive player at the TATA WPL Auction 2027, joining UP Warriorz for ₹1.10 crore.
Her signing gives UP Warriorz an experienced international all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball. Her left-arm spin and ability to perform under pressure could make her a valuable addition to the team's plans for the upcoming season.
India’s Kiran Navgire was another major acquisition, joining Delhi Capitals for ₹75 lakh. Known for her aggressive batting, Navgire offers the Capitals another option to strengthen their batting firepower.
Other notable signings included Jess Jonassen, who joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹40 lakh, and G. Kamalini, who returned to Gujarat Giants for ₹40 lakh.
Top Buys at TATA WPL Auction 2027
| Player | Team | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sophie Molineux | UP Warriorz | ₹1.10 crore |
| Kiran Navgire | Delhi Capitals | ₹75 lakh |
| Jess Jonassen | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹40 lakh |
| G. Kamalini | Gujarat Giants | ₹40 lakh |
| Grace Harris | UP Warriorz | ₹30 lakh |
| Tejal Hasabnis | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹30 lakh |
| Orla Prendergast | Gujarat Giants | ₹30 lakh |
| Sneh Rana | UP Warriorz | ₹30 lakh |
| Asha Sobhana | UP Warriorz | ₹30 lakh |
| Chloe Tryon | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | ₹30 lakh |
These signings reflect the different approaches adopted by franchises, from securing established international experience to investing in Indian players who can make a difference throughout the season.
Team-Wise Auction Highlights
1. UP Warriorz
UP Warriorz entered the auction with the largest remaining purse among the five teams, giving them considerable flexibility to rebuild key areas of their squad. Their headline signing was Sophie Molineux for ₹1.10 crore.
The franchise also secured Grace Harris, Sneh Rana and Asha Sobhana for ₹30 lakh each. These additions provide options across batting, spin bowling and all-rounder roles.
UP Warriorz will hope that their new signings complement their retained core and help the team challenge more consistently for the championship.
2. Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals made one of the auction's most significant domestic signings by securing Kiran Navgire for ₹75 lakh.
Navgire's attacking approach could give the Capitals additional power in the batting order. With established players already in the squad, the challenge will be to find the right balance between aggressive batting, reliable middle-order contributions and bowling depth.
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru added depth through the signings of Jess Jonassen, Tejal Hasabnis and Chloe Tryon.
Jonassen brings international experience and left-arm spin, while Hasabnis provides another batting option. Tryon's all-round abilities offer additional flexibility in team selection.
RCB's objective will be to maintain the balance that helped them win the previous edition while ensuring that their squad has enough depth to cope with injuries and changes in form.
4. Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants signed G. Kamalini for ₹40 lakh and Ireland's Orla Prendergast for ₹30 lakh.
Kamalini offers a promising Indian batting option, while Prendergast brings international all-round experience. The two signings give Gujarat additional selection possibilities as the franchise looks to improve its consistency in the tournament.
The Giants will need their new additions to integrate quickly with the retained players and deliver in high-pressure matches.
5. Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians entered the auction with the smallest remaining purse, ₹90 lakh, and no overseas slots available according to the pre-auction allocation.
That limited their options compared with franchises that had more money and overseas places to fill. Their squad-building strategy therefore depended on making the most of the available domestic talent and maintaining the strength of their retained core.
For Mumbai, squad continuity and the performances of existing players will be important factors in their campaign.
Auction Numbers at a Glance
| Auction Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Auction date | October 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Grand Hyatt Kochi, Kerala |
| Scheduled start | 5:30 PM IST |
| Players sold | 25 |
| Overseas players sold | 7 |
| Uncapped players sold | 14 |
| Total auction expenditure reported | ₹73.1 crore |
| Most expensive player | Sophie Molineux |
| Highest reported winning bid | ₹1.10 crore |
The auction figures underline the importance of squad planning in the WPL. Teams must balance star power with domestic depth, overseas combinations and the need for players who can contribute consistently across a short, high-intensity tournament.
What the Auction Means for WPL 2027
The 2027 auction was not simply about spending money on famous names. It was about identifying the players who could solve specific problems within each squad.
UP Warriorz made the biggest statement with Molineux, while Delhi Capitals invested heavily in Navgire. RCB focused on adding experience and flexibility, and Gujarat Giants strengthened their options with Kamalini and Prendergast.
Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, will rely on the strength of their existing squad and the contribution of their retained players.
The impact of these decisions will ultimately be judged on the field. A successful auction can improve a team's balance, but players must still adapt to their roles, build partnerships and perform under pressure.
When Does TATA WPL 2027 Begin?
The fifth edition of the TATA Women’s Premier League is scheduled to take place from January 14 to February 7, 2027. The tournament will feature the same five franchises: Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz.
With squads now taking shape, attention will shift towards team preparation, player fitness and the combinations each franchise chooses for the opening matches.
