sports desk20 minutes ago
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In the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction, all five teams made squad changes as per their needs. UP Warriors banked on 6 all-rounders, RCB strengthened its champion core, while Mumbai Indians increased the bench strength of Indian players.
However, buying players in the auction is just the first step. The real challenge for the teams will be to create a synergy between the new and old players, choose the right combination and overcome their weaknesses on the field.
Before the auction, the five teams had a total of 27 slots vacant. Of these, 25 players were bought. RCB and Delhi have one slot each left vacant, but both have only ₹5 lakh left in their purse. Since the minimum base price of players is ₹10 lakh, they cannot buy a new player with this amount.
1. UP Warriors: Molineau was the most expensive purchase, Rana and Asha were bought for Rs 30 lakh each.
UP Warriors, who finished last in the points table for the 2026 season, spent ₹1.10 crore on Sophie Molineau. Sophie made Australia win the T-20 World Cup 2026. Apart from them, the team included Grace Harris, Sneh Rana, Asha Shobhana and Sushma Verma for ₹30 lakh each.
Strength: We have got a strong top order from batsmen like Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal. All-rounders like Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana can contribute with batting as well as bowling.
Weakness: The team has 6 options of foreign players, but it will not be possible to include all of them together in the playing XI. Under general rules, four foreign players can play. The inclusion of Scotland’s Katherine Bryce could result in a choice of five foreign players under the special rules governing players from associate countries.
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore: Champion core strong, eye on new batsmen
Defending champion RCB bought Jess Jonassen for ₹ 40 lakh, Tejal Hasbanis and Chloe Tryon for ₹ 30 lakh each and Vrinda Dinesh for ₹ 10 lakh in the auction.
Strength: The presence of Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Woll and Richa Ghosh strengthens the batting. In bowling, Lauren Bell, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy are the options.
Weakness: Tejal Hasbanis and Vrinda Dinesh will have to prove their role in the middle order. It will be important to manage the innings when early wickets fall and increase the run rate in the last overs.
3. Delhi Capitals: Expect aggression from Kiran Navgire
Delhi Capitals bought Kiran Navgire in the auction for ₹75 lakh. She was the most expensive Indian player. The team also included Uma Kashvi, Scotland’s Kirsty Gordon and Najma Khan for ₹10 lakh each.
Strength: The top order gets stability and pace from Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues. The arrival of Kiran Navgire has added another aggressive option in the batting. Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland and Chinelle Henry can contribute with both bat and ball.
Weakness: Despite reaching the finals 4 times, Delhi has not been able to win the title yet. In such a situation, the team will have to focus on handling pressure in big matches and choosing the right combination at the right time. Mamta Madiwala is the only player in wicketkeeping.
4. Gujarat Giants: Completed the squad by spending ₹80 lakh on three players
Gujarat Giants bought G Kamalini for ₹40 lakh, Irish all-rounder Orla Prendergast for ₹30 lakh and 16-year-old Samaira Raghav for ₹10 lakh in the auction. The team spent a total of ₹80 lakh.
Strength: Experienced overseas players like Beth Mooney, Ashley Gardner and Sophie Devine both bat and bowl. Mooney also provides a wicketkeeping option, while Georgia Wareham is useful with spin and batting. Indian bowling will have help from Renuka Singh Thakur, Kashvi Gautam, Rajeshwari Gaikwad and Tanuja Kanwar in different situations.
Weakness: Mooney and Gardner will play important roles in batting. The middle order will have to take the responsibility if the initial wickets fall early. Batting and wicketkeeping options can increase with G Kamalini, but he will have to perform consistently.
5. Mumbai Indians: Strong foreign core, test of Indian batting
Mumbai Indians bought 6 Indian players in the auction. Shweta Sehrawat was included for ₹20 lakh, while Disha Kasat, Latika Inamdar, Bharti Rawal, Sanika Chalke and Akshita Bhagat were included for ₹10 lakh each.
Strength: All-rounders like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr provide depth in both batting and bowling. Harmanpreet Kaur is an important link in the middle order. Shabnim Ismail brings experience in fast bowling, while there are also options for spin.
Weakness: Young players like Shweta Sehrawat and Sanika Chalke will have to prove their ability at the big stage. Rahila Firdous and Latika are prized options in wicketkeeping, so the team will have to decide on the first choice.
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