WPL 2027 Auction List Expands to 150 Players as Four More Names Are Added
The player pool for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction has grown to 150, with four additional cricketers joining the shortlist ahead of the event in Kochi on Wednesday, October 28. The latest additions include New Zealand left-arm medium pacer Bree Illing and three uncapped Indian players: Delhi legspinners Medhavi Bidhuri and Samaira Raghav, and Uttar Pradesh left-arm medium pacer Avanya Jain.
The expanded list gives the five franchises more options as they look to address gaps in their squads. Illing brings an overseas pace option, while the uncapped domestic players could attract teams seeking specialist bowling depth or promising all-round skills. Raghav, in particular, offers added flexibility as a legspinner who can also contribute with the bat in the lower order.
Four late additions bring the shortlist to an even 150
The original auction shortlist contained 146 players. Adding the four newly announced names takes the total to an even 150, broadening the range of available talent before teams make their selections. The new additions are not all competing for the same kind of role: Illing offers international experience and left-arm seam, while the three Indian players provide domestic spin and pace options.
Illing has set her base price at INR 30 lakh. Bidhuri, Raghav and Jain have each entered the auction at the INR 10 lakh base price, making them lower-cost prospects for franchises with limited funds. A base price does not guarantee a player will be selected, but it establishes the minimum bidding point and can shape how teams plan their auction strategy.
For teams assessing the pool, role balance may matter as much as reputation. A left-arm seamer can offer a different angle from a right-arm pace attack, while legspin can provide a change of pace through the middle overs. Raghav’s lower-order batting could also make her more appealing to a side looking for a player who can contribute in more than one department.
Franchise purses and vacancies set up contrasting auction strategies
The five franchises will arrive in Kochi with different purse sizes and squad needs. That variation is likely to influence the bidding, particularly for overseas players and specialist bowlers. Some teams have room to pursue several options, while others must use their remaining funds carefully to fill specific vacancies.
UP Warriorz have the largest remaining purse, with INR 3.75 crore available and eight squad positions to fill. Those vacancies include three overseas slots, giving the franchise scope to target international players as well as domestic talent. The combination of a relatively large budget and multiple open places gives UP Warriorz the broadest range of choices among the teams.
Mumbai Indians face a very different auction. They have INR 90 lakh left and six vacancies, all reserved for Indian players. That restriction makes the domestic shortlist especially relevant to their plans. Players such as Bidhuri, Raghav and Jain could be considered if Mumbai are looking to strengthen their Indian options without competing for overseas slots.
Gujarat Giants have INR 1.25 crore available for three positions. With fewer vacancies than UP Warriorz, Gujarat may be able to focus its spending on particular roles rather than rebuilding several areas of the squad. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have INR 1.15 crore remaining, while Delhi Capitals have INR 1.10 crore. Both teams have five places to fill.
Delhi Capitals face another important squad-building decision
Delhi Capitals have finished as runners-up in all four editions of the WPL so far, and the franchise enters this auction with INR 1.10 crore left for five vacancies. One of those places is on the overseas bench, giving Delhi the option to add an international player if the right fit is available. The remaining slots will require the team to weigh squad balance, role requirements and the cost of each target.
Repeated appearances in the final underline Delhi’s consistency, but a runner-up finish also leaves room for adjustment. The auction offers a chance to reinforce areas that may have limited the team in previous campaigns, whether through additional bowling depth, batting cover or greater flexibility in the field. With five places to fill, Delhi will need to make its remaining purse work across several needs.
RCB’s position is similarly focused: INR 1.15 crore for five slots. While the available amount is higher than Delhi’s, the number of vacancies means careful budgeting will still be important. Gujarat’s three openings offer a different calculation, with more money available per spot on paper, though actual spending will depend on competition and the players the franchise prioritises.
What the new names could mean for WPL 2027
The four additions add fresh possibilities to an auction where team requirements will be as important as individual profiles. Illing’s INR 30 lakh base price places her among the overseas options available to franchises that still have international positions to fill. Her left-arm medium pace could appeal to a team seeking variety in its attack, although the final decision will depend on each side’s overseas balance and budget.
The three Indian players enter at INR 10 lakh, a price point that may suit franchises looking to add domestic depth. Bidhuri and Raghav offer legspin, while Jain provides left-arm medium pace. Those skill sets could help teams build bowling combinations suited to different match situations, including middle-over control and changes of angle against batters.
As with any auction, a player’s value will depend on more than their base price. Franchises will assess form, role fit, squad composition and how much competition develops during bidding. A player who fills a specific gap may become a priority even if several alternatives are available, while a team with limited funds may prefer to spread its budget across multiple positions.
The WPL 2027 auction is therefore set to be shaped by contrasting objectives: UP Warriorz have the largest purse and most vacancies, Mumbai Indians must recruit only Indian players, and Delhi Capitals, RCB and Gujarat Giants will each balance targeted needs against tighter budgets. With the shortlist now at 150, the added names provide more options—and more variables—for teams planning their next campaign. Fans following cricket auction news can expect the purse limits, squad gaps and player roles to drive much of the discussion and prediction around which franchises will land their preferred targets.
