WPL 2027 auction: Gujarat Giants' ₹80 lakh spend on three targeted picks
Synopsis
Gujarat Giants entered the WPL 2027 auction with 15 retentions — the most in the league — and spent just ₹80 lakh on three players. CBO Sanjay Adesara says the disciplined purse was the point: fill gaps, back youth, and save the big moves for the 2028 mega auction.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Giants spent ₹80 lakh in total at the WPL 2027 auction held in Kochi on 29 October 2026 .
The franchise signed G Kamalini (₹40 lakh), Orla Prendergast (₹30 lakh), and Samaira Raghav (₹10 lakh).
GG retained 15 players ahead of the auction — the highest retention count among all WPL franchises.
GG finished second in the WPL 2026 group stage before exiting to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator.
The 2027 WPL season runs from 14 January to 7 February 2027 ; venues are yet to be announced.
A mega auction is likely in 2028 , at which point the franchise says it remains open to major changes.
Gujarat Giants (GG) spent a combined ₹80 lakh at the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction held in Kochi on Wednesday, 29 October 2026, acquiring just three players after entering the sale with the highest retention count in the competition. The disciplined outlay, according to the franchise's leadership, was a deliberate strategy rather than a sign of restraint.
The Three Signings
G Kamalini, a young India wicketkeeper-batter, was the most expensive of the trio at ₹40 lakh. Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast was brought in for ₹30 lakh, while 16-year-old Delhi all-rounder Samaira Raghav completed the set at ₹10 lakh. Together, the three signings were designed to plug specific gaps rather than overhaul a squad that already had a settled core of 15 retained players — the most of any WPL franchise this cycle.
What the CBO Said
Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, explained the rationale in an exclusive conversation on Thursday. 'We entered with a clear understanding of our requirements, having retained a strong core of 15 players, and our focus was on making targeted additions rather than making changes for the sake of it,' he said. Adesara added that the franchise's measure of auction success was not the amount spent but how effectively resources were deployed: 'For us, a successful auction is not just about how much you spend but about how effectively you use your resources to build a balanced and competitive squad.'
Developing Young Indian Talent
Adesara highlighted that the signings of Kamalini and Samaira aligned with Adani Sportsline's broader philosophy of identifying and nurturing young Indian women cricketers. He pointed to existing squad members — Kashvee Gautam, Anushka Sharma, and Happy Kumari — as evidence of a functioning scouting programme. 'As the women's game continues to grow in India, we want to play a meaningful role in discovering talent, supporting its development and strengthening the domestic talent pool,' he said.
Continuity vs Change
Gujarat Giants finished second in the WPL 2026 group stage before losing to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator. Despite that run, Adesara was careful to frame continuity as a philosophy rather than a rule. With a mega auction likely in 2028, he said the franchise would not hesitate to make significant changes when competitive requirements demanded it. 'Our decisions will be guided by what gives Gujarat Giants the best chance of competing consistently, rather than by a preference for either continuity or spending,' he added.
What's Next
The 2027 WPL season is scheduled to run from 14 January to 7 February 2027, with host venues yet to be confirmed. Gujarat Giants will head into the tournament as one of the more settled squads in the competition, banking on a proven core reinforced by carefully chosen additions.
Point of View
They refused to bid against themselves. What the ₹80 lakh spend really reveals is a franchise that believes its core is good enough to compete — a confident claim for a team that fell at the Eliminator last season. The 2028 mega auction will be the real test of that philosophy, and the signings of Samaira Raghav and Kamalini suggest GG are already building their next cycle rather than just patching the current one.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Gujarat Giants spend at the WPL 2027 auction?
Gujarat Giants spent a combined ₹80 lakh at the WPL 2027 auction held in Kochi on 29 October 2026. The franchise bought three players: G Kamalini for ₹40 lakh, Orla Prendergast for ₹30 lakh, and Samaira Raghav for ₹10 lakh.
Who did Gujarat Giants sign at the WPL 2027 auction?
Gujarat Giants signed wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast, and 16-year-old Delhi all-rounder Samaira Raghav. The three additions were described as targeted picks to address specific squad gaps.
Why did Gujarat Giants retain 15 players before the WPL 2027 auction?
Gujarat Giants retained 15 players — the most of any WPL franchise — because the franchise was satisfied with its core following a run to the WPL 2026 Eliminator. CBO Sanjay Adesara said the strategy was to back proven performers and make targeted additions rather than change for the sake of it.
When does the WPL 2027 season start?
The 2027 WPL season is scheduled to run from 14 January to 7 February 2027. Host venues have not yet been confirmed.
Is a WPL mega auction planned?
Yes, a WPL mega auction is reportedly likely to take place in 2028. Sanjay Adesara said Gujarat Giants would be open to making significant changes at that point, depending on competitive requirements.
