WPL 2027: Australia captain Molineux the most expensive pick in lukewarm auction

The WPL 2027 mini auction, held at the Hyatt’s Vembanad Hall, was about just as peaceful on Wednesday evening: there weren’t that many fierce bidding wars.

Updated : Oct 28, 2026 22:13 IST , KOCHI - 3 MINS READ

Sophie Molineux, the all-rounder who led Australia to the T20 World Cup some three months ago in England, turned out to be the costliest star. | Photo Credit: WPL/X

Just a cricket ball’s throw away from Hyatt Grand lies the peaceful Vembanad Lake.

The WPL 2027 mini auction, held at the Hyatt’s Vembanad Hall, was about just as peaceful on Wednesday evening: there weren’t that many fierce bidding wars.

That wasn’t really surprising. It was a mini auction, after all, with just 27 slots up for grabs.

Sophie Molineux, the all-rounder who led Australia to the T20 World Cup some three months ago in England, turned out to be the costliest star. She was bought by UP Warriorz for Rs. 1.10 crore.

AS IT HAPPENED | WPL 2027 Auction HIGHLIGHTS

Warriorz had come to the auction with the largest purse (Rs. 3.75 crore), and the paddle from their table went up even before the auctioneer completed announcing her name. Her base price was Rs. 50 lakh. Royal Challengers Bengaluru was also keen, but had to step back, as it didn’t have the kind of money the Warriorz had.

Warriorz, of course, had more slots to fill than all the other four franchises. They went on to add Grace Harris (Rs. 30 lakh), Sneh Rana (Rs. 30 lakh), Sushma Verma (Rs. 30 lakh), Asha Sobhana (Rs. 30 lakh), Kathryn Bryce (Rs. 10 lakh), Manali Dakshini (Rs. 10 lakh) and Sahana Pawar (Rs. 10 lakh).

Among them, the biggest steal was Harris, one of the hardest hitters you would come across in women’s cricket. She can be more than useful with her off-spin, too. She is returning to the Warriorz after being part of the title-winning RCB.

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Another hard hitter, Kiran Navgire, did not come as cheap for Delhi Capitals, which brought her for Rs. 75 lakh, against a base price of Rs. 40 lakh. Mumbai Indians was also interested in her.

Kiran would end up as the second most expensive player at the auction. G. Kamalini and Jess Jonassen were both picked up for their base price of Rs. 40 lakh, by Gujarat Giants and RCB, respectively.

Mumbai Indians, not unexpectedly, went on a spree of budget buys. It got Disha Kasat, Latika Imandar, Bharti Rawal, Saanika Chalke and Akshita Bhagat, all for the base price of Rs. 10 lakh. The two-time champion also got Shweta Sehrawat for Rs. 20 lakh.

Uma Kashvi was also sold for Rs. 10 lakh, to Delhi Capitals, as she made history. At 15, she is the youngest to make it to a WPL squad.

There were also big stars that failed to shine. Like Sophia Dunkley. The England opener was the only player, apart from Molineux, who had asked for a base price of Rs. 50 lakh. She had no takers.