WPL 2027 auction: Gujarat Giants land Kamalini, Prendergast below expected price
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger declared his franchise 'pretty much sorted' following the acquisition of G Kamalini and Orla Prendergast at the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction in Kochi on 28 October 2026, revealing that both signings came in cheaper than the team had anticipated.
Key Signings and Prices
The Giants secured Kamalini — formerly of Mumbai Indians — at her base price of ₹40 lakh, and snapped up Ireland's seam-bowling all-rounder Orla Prendergast for ₹30 lakh. Prendergast becomes the first Ireland player to feature in the five-team tournament, a landmark moment for Irish women's cricket on the global stage.
Across all four participating franchises, only 10 players in total had been picked after six sets of bidding were completed. Notably, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru were yet to sign a single player at that stage of proceedings.
What Klinger Said About Kamalini
'We felt Kamalini was the best batter in the auction, the most talented batter,' Klinger told reporters after the session concluded. The Australian coach's confidence in Kamalini reflects a broader tactical calculation — GG had identified her as a priority target well before the auction and were prepared to go significantly higher had bidding escalated. Getting her at base price, according to Klinger, was an unexpected windfall that subsequently opened up room in the purse for an overseas slot.
Why Prendergast Was the Overseas Choice
Klinger drew on his personal experience coaching Prendergast at the Welsh Fire in The Hundred, describing her as a 'world-class all-rounder' with strong leadership qualities. 'Whether there's an injury, whether we want to go for another overseas medium pace option, who can bat in the top six or seven — she gives us a lot of versatility,' he said. Her medium-pace bowling and batting flexibility were cited as central to her selection over other overseas options considered by the franchise.
Gujarat Giants' Remaining Purse and Slots
With both signings completed, GG have ₹55 lakh remaining in their auction purse, one squad slot still to fill, and all overseas positions now accounted for. Klinger acknowledged that the team's planning had been relatively straightforward this cycle, given they entered the auction needing only one or two additions to an already settled core group. 'We've got one spot left, which obviously we have enough money in the purse to get someone else now. So we'll just see how that goes,' he added. The franchise's final pick will be from the domestic pool, with a healthy budget to secure a strong option.