WPL Auction: Player List announced, 146 Indians, 27 overseas; Dunkley, Molineux placed in top base price

TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) took an important step towards its fifth season. The league announced that the official player list for the 2027 auction has been released. A total of 146 players will go under the hammer on 28 October in Kochi, Kerala, competing for just 27 available slots across the five franchises. The auction, scheduled to begin at 5.30 PM IST at the Grand Hyatt, represents a classic mini-auction scenario following the retention window that closed in late September. 

Of the 146 registered names, 119 are Indian players, 22 capped and 97 uncapped, while the overseas contingent numbers 27, comprising 14 capped and 13 uncapped players, including six from Associate Nations. Franchises have 20 Indian slots and seven overseas positions to fill. This imbalance means competition will be particularly intense among the large pool of domestic talent, many of whom are seeking their first sustained opportunity in the high-profile T20 competition. 

WPL Auction: Player List announced, 146 Indians, 27 overseas; Dunkley, Molineux placed in top base price

England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux top the list at Rs 50 lakh each. Close behind at Rs 40 lakh are Indian players Gunalan Kamalini and Kiran Navgire, along with Australians Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen. A further 30 players have set their base price at Rs 30 lakh, creating a substantial middle tier that could generate lively bidding. 

Auction follows retention process

The auction follows a retention process in which the five teams Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and UP Warriorz kept 63 players, including 23 overseas stars. This left a combined remaining purse of approximately Rs 8.15 crore and 27 open slots. UP Warriorz enter the auction with the largest remaining purse of Rs 3.65 crore and seven vacancies, including two overseas. 

Mumbai Indians also have seven slots but the smallest purse at Rs 1 crore. The other sides have between three and five slots and purses ranging from Rs 1.10 crore to Rs 1.25 crore. These figures will shape strategies: teams with limited funds must prioritise carefully, while those with deeper pockets can target higher-value talent. Launched by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2023, the WPL has rapidly become one of the world’s premier women’s T20 competitions.

Mumbai Indians claimed the inaugural title and repeated in 2025, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru won in 2024 and again in 2026, establishing a clear rivalry at the top of the table. Delhi Capitals have been consistent finalists, underlining the competitive balance that has developed in just four seasons. The league has provided substantial financial rewards, regular high-level match exposure and a professional pathway that was previously limited for many Indian women cricketers. 

WPL 2027 season starts in January

The 2027 season itself is scheduled to run from 14 January to 7 February. With only a short turnaround after the auction, franchises must finalise balanced squads capable of contending across a compact calendar. The presence of a large uncapped Indian contingent offers teams the chance to unearth emerging talent who can develop under experienced international mentors. At the same time, the limited overseas slots place a premium on versatile all-rounders and proven performers who can adapt quickly to Indian conditions.

For the wider game, events such as this auction continue to raise the profile of women’s cricket in India. Broadcast coverage, franchise investment and growing domestic interest have combined to create a sustainable ecosystem. Young players now see clear professional opportunities, while established internationals gain another high-stakes stage on which to showcase their skills. The inclusion of Associate Nation players further broadens the talent pool and reflects the global reach the league has achieved.

As the franchises prepare their strategies in the days leading up to 28 October, attention will focus on how they address specific needs: pace bowling depth, middle-order finishing, spin options or wicket-keeping alternatives. With only 27 slots available from a list of 146, many capable players will go unsold, highlighting the cut-throat nature of the process. Yet those who secure contracts will join one of the most watched women’s cricket competitions in the world. 

The announcement of the player list marks the final major administrative step before the auction itself. Once the bidding concludes, squads will be locked in, and attention will shift to pre-season preparation. The Kochi auction promises drama, strategic intrigue, and the unveiling of the combinations that will contest the 2027 title. For the players involved, it represents a pivotal career moment in a league that continues to redefine opportunities in women’s cricket.

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