Australian captain Sophie Molineux and English opener Sophia Dunkley have emerged as the standout names ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) mini auction, with both players opting for the maximum base price of ₹50 lakh. According to the list released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), these two stars are the only individuals to place themselves in the top-tier pricing bracket for the upcoming selection event.
The mini auction is scheduled to take place on October 28 in Kochi. It will see a total of 146 players vying for 27 available spots distributed across the five participating franchises. The composition of the list includes 119 Indian players, of whom 22 are capped, along with 27 international cricketers, including six representatives from associate nations.
Following Molineux and Dunkley in the pricing hierarchy are several notable players listed at a base price of ₹40 lakh. This group features G. Kamalini and Kiran Navgire, alongside the Australian duo of Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen. Meanwhile, the ₹30 lakh bracket includes several high-profile names, such as Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Chloe Tryon, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Sneh Rana.
Financial dynamics will play a crucial role as franchises prepare for the bidding process. The UP Warriorz enter the auction with the largest remaining purse of ₹3.75 crore. They are followed by the Gujarat Giants, who hold ₹1.25 crore in their budget. The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, have a remaining purse of ₹1.15 crore, while the Delhi Capitals hold ₹1.1 crore. Mumbai Indians round out the list with ₹90 lakh available for the auction.
The roster management ahead of the event has already seen some movement. Mumbai Indians recently completed a trade, acquiring American left-arm seamer Tara Norris from the UP Warriorz for ₹10 lakh. This transaction has implications for the number of available vacancies; the UP Warriorz currently have eight slots to fill, while Mumbai Indians have the capacity to add six more players. Both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals have five spots each to fill, and the Gujarat Giants are looking to fill three remaining positions.
Twenty of the available slots at the auction are specifically reserved for Indian players. As teams prepare to finalize their squads, the balance between retaining existing talent and scouting fresh options from the 146-player pool will be central to each franchise’s strategy. The event represents a critical opportunity for teams to bolster their line-ups with specific skill sets, particularly with the limited number of roster spots available across the league.
With the auction date fast approaching, the focus remains on how franchises will allocate their remaining funds to secure the players they need. The mix of experienced international stars and domestic talent suggests a competitive environment as teams aim to complete their squads. The outcome of the auction on October 28 will determine the final look of the teams for the upcoming season, as fans and analysts observe which franchises make the most tactical use of their remaining budgets.
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