The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 mini auction is set to take place on October 28 in Kochi, featuring 146 players vying for 27 team slots. Among those entering the auction, England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia captain Sophie Molineux stand out as the only two players listing themselves at the top base price of INR 50 lakh.
The auction pool comprises 119 Indian players, including 22 capped and 97 uncapped athletes, competing for 20 available slots. The overseas contingent consists of 27 players—14 capped and 13 uncapped—with seven spots open. Notably, six players hail from Associate cricket nations.
At the second-highest base price of INR 40 lakh are players such as G Kamalini, recently released by Mumbai Indians; Kiran Navigre, released by U P Warriorz (UPW); as well as Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen. Additionally, 30 players have listed themselves at a base price of INR 30 lakh.
Several prominent names are absent from the auction, including West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin and Australia legspinner Alana King, who were released by UPW and Delhi Capitals, respectively. Lizelle Lee, the top run-scorer for Delhi Capitals in the previous season, has also opted not to register following her release.
Only two English players—Dunkley and wicketkeeper Kira Chathli (INR 10 lakh)—have entered the auction. Several others, including Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Lauren Filer, and Linsey Smith, have chosen to skip the 2027 WPL. This trend is partly attributed to a scheduling conflict, as England is expected to play three T20 internationals in Sri Lanka during early February, overlapping with the WPL’s final week. Although the England and Wales Cricket Board is reportedly permitting players to remain in India to finish the tournament, many have prioritized their international commitments ahead of the Champions Trophy later that month.
Another factor influencing English players’ decisions is the comparatively modest earning potential in the WPL. The maximum base price allowed in the league is INR 50 lakh (approximately £40,000), which is significantly lower than compensation in England’s Hundred tournament, where players have earned up to £190,000 in recent years.
Molineux, who was a part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) championship squad in 2024 and took 12 wickets in 10 games at an economy rate of 7.31, had been retained by RCB for the 2025 season but missed the campaign due to a knee injury. Dunkley played for Gujarat Giants in 2023, did not register for the 2024 season, and went unsold in the 2025 auction.
Other notable internationals entering the auction at the INR 30 lakh base price include Australia allrounder Grace Harris (released by RCB), Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, and South African players Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon.
UPW, having released nine players ahead of the auction, will hold the largest available purse at INR 3.75 crore as franchises prepare to strengthen their squads for the upcoming WPL season.