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KOCHI: UP Warriorz, with the biggest purse of Rs 3.75 crore, beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a fierce bidding war to sign Australia captain Sophie Molineux for Rs 1.10 crore at the WPL mini auction in Kochi on Wednesday.UP opened at Rs 50 lakh and RCB, for whom Molineux was part of the 2024 title-winning side, came straight back, and her price zoomed to Rs 95 lakh. UP then moved it to Rs 1 crore, the RCB countered at Rs 1.05 crore. UP finally pushed it to Rs 1.10 crore to seal the deal. Allrounder Molineux is the X-factor, who provides a wealth of experience for UP, and will be propped up as the perfect foil to her captain and compatriot, Meg Lanning.“We were determined to get Sophie at any cost,” UP Warriorz CEO Kshemal Waingankar told reporters. “It puts us in a good position with Sophie and Grace (Harris) combined to tweak our combinations and decide what works best for us.”UP added firepower to their batting by picking Australian Grace Harris for Rs 30 lakh, who returns to the franchise she represented in 2025. She had a prolific run in RCB’s 2026 title season, but was released with Ellyse Perry’s return. Harris is likely to open with Lanning or Pratika Rawal. With Harleen Deol also in the mix, it gives UP the legroom to mix and match their batters. “Grace brings power to the middle order, Molineux the leadership qualities,” Waingankar added.They also snapped up experienced Himachal wicketkeeper Sushma Verma and bid Rs 30 lakh for offspinner Sneh Rana. With Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma in the squad, their spin attack looks robust.Unlike previous seasons, UP went into this auction with a clear plan. “We carried out some experiments last season that didn’t work. This season, we were betting on experience, which is why we targeted players like Sushma Verma,” UP head coach Abhishek Nayar said.Combinations were the priority for the five franchises, and with the other four on limited purse, the bidding remained largely cautious.Gunalan Kamalini, the young India batter with a high ceiling went to Gujarat Giants who made the first bid at Rs 40 lakh. RCB opened their account by snapping up Australian left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen at a base price of Rs 40 lakh.Mumbai Indians (MI) pursued Kiran Navigare, a former UP player, for a base price of Rs 40 lakh. Delhi Capitals took the price to Rs 75 lakh, and MI, with only Rs 90 lakh left in their purse, dropped out.Sri Lankan veteran Chamari Athapaththu going unsold was the biggest surprise of the evening. MI played it smart by picking childhood friends Disha Kasat and Latika Imandar, two players from Vidarbha who have been making waves at the domestic level, for Rs 10 lakh each.The auction’s biggest takeaway was the continuing importance of domestic cricket to women’s game, with franchises backing a raft of players who have emerged from the circuit.
Steal buys
Grace Harris (Rs 30 lakh, UP): Apart from her blistering strokeplay, she can bowl offspin in the Powerplay.Sushma Verma (Rs 30 lakh, UP): An international player currently in stellar form. Got exposure in the CPL. She walks into UP’s playing XI given her keeping skills and experience.Disha Kasat (Rs 10 lakh, MI): An improved player from WPL 2023. She can be used as an opener.Kathryn Bryce (Rs 10 lakh, UP): Scotland captain, who can bowl medium pace and bat at the top of the order.Sanika Chalke (Rs 10 lakh, MI): Touted as the player of the future. Part of the 2025 U-19 T20 World Cup-winning squad.Samaira Raghav (Rs 10 lakh, GG): A16-year-old ex-sprinter who was pushed to cricket by her father. Currently making waves in Women’s DPL.
Top picks
| Player | Team | Base price | Final price |
| Sophie Molineux | UP Warriorz | Rs 50 lakh | Rs 1.1 crore |
| Kiran Navgire | Delhi Capitals | Rs 40 lakh | Rs 75 lakh |
| Gunalan Kamalini | Gujarat Giants | Rs 40 lakh | Rs 40 lakh |
| Jess Jonassen | RCB | Rs 40 lakh | Rs 40 lakh |
Asha endures steep pay cut
UP Warriorz released Keralam leg spinner Asha Shobana for Rs 1.2 crore, then bagged her for a base price of Rs 30 lakh.Orla Prendergast became the first Irish cricketer to be picked in the WPL. The Gujarat Giants roped the allrounder for Rs 30 lakh.
