The Women’s Premier League 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28 in Kochi, with 146 players set to go under the hammer. Of those, 119 are Indian players, while 27 overseas players will be available for the five franchises to choose from.
With the auction getting under way at the Grand Hyatt Kochi, let’s take a look at five overseas stars who could attract lucrative deals when bidding opens.
5. Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Gujarat Giants made a bold move ahead of the WPL 2027 auction by releasing explosive England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge. The right-handed batter appeared in just one match last season, scoring 14 runs off eight balls against UP Warriorz. Gujarat coach Michael Klinger confirmed that the 35-year-old was released because she would miss most of the season owing to national team commitments. However, other franchises may still want to secure her services given her standing as a top run-getter at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, even if she is available for only a handful of matches.
4. Chloe Tryon
Chloe Tryon was released by UP Warriorz ahead of the WPL 2027 auction. The South African all-rounder is one of the more exciting names in the pool, given her ability to clear big boundaries and her power game with the bat. She can also bowl handy left-arm spin and is regarded as a remarkable fielder. The 32-year-old has played five WPL matches and recorded a batting strike rate of 151.79. Her base price at the auction is INR 30 lakh.
3. Sophie Molineux
The Australian captain Sophie Molineux enters the auction with a base price of INR 50 lakh, which is joint-highest in the pool. Known for her tactical intelligence and exceptional economy rate, Molineux is a potent left-arm orthodox bowler who can also contribute useful runs down the order. Apart from her bowling, she brings leadership experience from captaining the Australian side, which could make her a valuable addition to any franchise’s think tank.
2. Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu, the talismanic Sri Lankan captain, enters the auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh. She has played only four WPL matches and her career numbers from those games are modest. However, her stature in international cricket is enviable. Athapaththu can provide an anchor at the top of the order or give her team a flying start, depending on what the situation demands. She is also a very handy bowler, and those all-round skill sets make her a hot pick at the auction.
1. Sophia Dunkley
Sophia Dunkley has registered for the auction with a base price of INR 50 lakh, placing her among the joint-highest-priced players in the pool. The England batter is capable of taking the attack to bowlers inside the powerplay, scoring through orthodox shots and improvising when necessary. The 28-year-old has posted a strike rate of 175.37 across six WPL matches. In T20Is, she has accumulated 1,463 runs from 81 matches at an average of 25.67 and a strike rate of 123.36.