WPL 2027 auction: Sophie Molineux, Dunkley top 146-player list for Kochi

Australia's Sophie Molineux and England's Sophia Dunkley head the list for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 player auction, which will be held on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at the Grand Hyatt in Kochi, Kerala. The registered list, made public on 20 October, has 146 players competing for 27 open squad places, and Molineux and Dunkley are the only two who have set the top base price of Rs 50 lakh. Of the 146, 97 are uncapped Indian players, which makes the auction a big chance for young domestic cricketers.

The WPL is India's women's T20 franchise league, and for young women cricketers it is one of the biggest stages in the domestic game. An auction place brings a contract, national television exposure and the chance to train and play alongside international stars. For an uncapped player, one good WPL season can lead to selection for India A or the senior team.

This year's numbers show how tight the competition is. With only 20 places for Indian players and 119 Indian names in the pool, roughly one in six will be picked. Most uncapped players are in the lowest bracket of Rs 10 lakh, which is the base price, not the final fee: a bidding war can push a player's price far higher. Teams with little money left will look for value, which often means young domestic players who have impressed in state tournaments and in age-group cricket.

The fact that both players at the top price are overseas internationals shows that established stars still set the market. But only seven of the 27 open places are for overseas players, so most of the opportunities in this auction go to Indian cricketers. That is what makes the league such an important pathway for the domestic game.

Short-term: Teams will finalise their wish lists in the next eight days, and players will be watching to see whether they are picked. The low total purse, around Rs 8.15 crore across five teams, means few very high bids are likely, and many players could go at or near their base price.

Long-term: Each auction adds more young Indian players to professional set-ups with better coaching, fitness support and match practice. Over time, that deepens the pool from which India's national selectors can choose.

Who is affected: The 146 registered players, especially the 97 uncapped Indians; the five WPL franchises; state associations whose players gain exposure; and fans who follow the league.

What young players and fans should do next: the auction will be shown live on the official broadcaster and streaming partner of the WPL; aspiring players can follow how teams value skills such as spin bowling, finishing with the bat and wicketkeeping, which often decide who gets picked.

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