New Delhi: UP Warriorz called the shots in the opening set at the in Kochi on Wednesday as they splurged on some big names.
The Warriorz paid a big sum of Rs 1.10 crore to sign Australian captain Sophie Molineux, while also roping in Australia batter Grace Harris and Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana.
The Warriroz headed into the WPL mini-auction with the biggest purse of Rs 3.75 crore and a maximum of eight slots to fill. They entered the bidding war for Molineux and pipped RCB to land the Aussie spin all-rounder for Rs 1.10 crore.
Molineux, who has represented RCB in the WPL, led Australia to the T20 World Cup crown earlier this year. She has 57 wickets to her name in 54 T20Is for Australia and is one of the best spinners going around in T20 cricket at present. Molineux has played ten matches in her WPL career and has 12 wickets to her name.
UP Warriorz rope in Grace Harris and Sneh Rana
UP Warriorz also roped in Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana and veteran Australian batter Grace Harris at their base price of Rs 30 lakh each. It will mark a homecoming for Harris, who played for the Warriorz for the first three seasons in the WPL before joining RCB last season.
Harris’ return adds much-needed firepower to the UP Warriorz batting line-up. The Australian batter scored 237 runs in 9 matches for RCB last season and played a key role in their title triumph. She has 818 runs to her name at a strike rate close to 150 in 31 matches in her WPL career so far.
Rana, who was part of the Delhi Capitals last season, was roped in by the UP Warriorz at her base price of Rs 30 lakh. She was released by DC after an underwhelming campaign last season, where she managed only 62 runs and one wicket in 10 matches.
DC get Kiran Navgire for Rs 75 lakh
Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals beat Mumbai Indians to the signing of Indian batter Kiran Navgire for Rs 75 lakh. Navgire was part of the UP Warriorz squad last season and has 435 runs to her name in 31 matches in her WPL career so far.
Gujarat Giants signed young Indian batter G Kamalini at her base price of Rs 30 lakh and also roped in Ireland’s Orla Prendergast at her base price of Rs 30 lakh at the WPL 2027 auction.