WPL 2027 auction: All five teams' budgets, squad needs and key targets

WPL 2027 auction: All five teams' budgets, squad needs and key targets

Twenty-seven slots will be up for grabs as the five Women’s Premier League (WPL) franchises enter the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi today with a combined Rs 8.15 crore to spend. Seven of those vacancies can be filled by overseas players.

 

Each franchise is allotted Rs 15 crore to build its squad. The salaries of retained players are deducted from this amount, leaving teams with the balance for auction purchases. A squad can have a maximum of 18 players, including up to six overseas recruits.

 

Following 63 player retentions and the subsequent transfer of Tara Norris from UP Warriorz to Mumbai Indians, the franchises have different gaps to address. UP need reinforcements across several departments, while Gujarat Giants have just three vacancies.

 

  

The auction features 146 players — 119 Indian and 27 overseas, including six from Associate nations. Sneh Rana, Chamari Athapaththu, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Molineux and Jess Jonassen are among the prominent names available. 

 

UP Warriorz: Can the biggest purse help address their batting gaps?

 

UP Warriorz have Rs 3.75 crore available and eight vacancies, including three overseas positions. Their recruitment task is the largest among the five franchises after finishing last in 2026.

 

Finding a batter who can provide brisk starts alongside Meg Lanning should be a priority following Kiran Navgire’s release. The departures of Deandra Dottin and Chloe Tryon also create room for all-rounders who can strengthen the batting and contribute useful overs.

 

Grace Harris, Jonassen and Annerie Dercksen offer different combinations of those skills. Wicketkeeping is another area to address after Amy Jones’ release, with Uma Chetry and G Kamalini among the possible options. 

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