The WPL 2027 player auction is scheduled for October 28 in Kochi, with 146 players registered across five base price tiers ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
The pool includes 119 Indian players and 27 overseas players, all competing for just 27 available slots.
With demand far outstripping supply, franchises will need to move quickly and spend heavily to secure their priority targets. Several names in the pool are already drawing attention for the competition they are likely to generate among the five WPL sides.
Here are top five players who could trigger a bidding war at WPL 2027 auction:
1. Sophia Dunkley
Sophia Dunkley has registered at the highest base price of ₹50 lakh, placing herself among the most sought-after overseas names in the WPL 2027 auction pool. The England batter is a hard-hitting top-order player who previously represented Gujarat Giants in the WPL. Franchises looking to strengthen their Powerplay batting will find Dunkley an attractive option, and her capped status underlines the quality she brings. With multiple teams likely to target a batter of her profile, her final hammer price could climb well above her base figure.
2. Sophie Molineux
Sophie Molineux enters the WPL 2027 auction at the same ₹50 lakh base price as Dunkley, making her one of the most prominent overseas names in the pool. The Australian left-arm spinner is also a capable contributor with the bat in the lower order and has captained Australia across formats. Notably, she was released by defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of this auction, which means all five franchises will have the opportunity to bid for her services. Her combination of bowling skill and batting utility makes her a versatile asset that teams will compete hard to acquire.
3. Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu is listed in the WPL 2027 auction pool as a capped Sri Lanka all-rounder at a base price of ₹30 lakh. She also serves as Sri Lanka’s captain, a role that reflects her standing in the women’s game. Athapaththu is a destructive batter capable of changing the course of a match on her own, and she also contributes with handy off-spin. Her all-round profile at a relatively modest base price is likely to attract multiple franchises, pushing her final bid considerably higher than her starting figure.
4. Sneh Rana
Sneh Rana enters the WPL 2027 auction after being released by Delhi Capitals, with a base price of ₹30 lakh. The capped Indian off-spinner is also a useful contributor in the lower order with the bat. Because she is a domestic player, franchises do not need to use an overseas slot to accommodate her, which adds to her value in squad-building calculations. Her experience in the WPL, including a stint with Gujarat Giants in the league’s first season where she even captained the side during an injury absence, makes her a known quantity that teams will be keen to secure.
5. G Kamalini
Keep an eye out for a potential bidding war for G. Kamalini. One of India’s most highly rated young domestic batting prospects, the 18-year-old enters the auction at a base price of ₹40 lakh after being released by the Mumbai Indians. A hard-hitting Indian wicketkeeper-batter is a valuable asset in a league with limited overseas slots, and her age, versatility and long-term potential could attract interest from multiple franchises looking to build their middle order around a young Indian talent.