Grace Harris tipped as WPL 2027 auction's costliest buy; UP Warriorz hold biggest purse
Synopsis
Aakash Chopra has singled out Grace Harris — RCB's WPL 2026 title-winning all-rounder — as the player most likely to command the highest price at the WPL 2027 auction on 28 October in Kochi, with UP Warriorz and their industry-leading purse positioned to make the decisive move. His Sneh Rana-to-Mumbai Indians call adds another intriguing subplot to the day.
Key Takeaways
Grace Harris is tipped as the most expensive buy at the WPL 2027 auction on 28 October in Kochi , according to Aakash Chopra .
UP Warriorz , who hold the biggest remaining purse, are the team most likely to drive her price, Chopra said.
Harris scored 237 runs in nine innings for RCB during their WPL 2026 title-winning campaign.
A total of 27 slots — including 7 overseas spots — will be filled at the auction; squads can hold up to 18 players with a maximum of 6 overseas.
Sneh Rana , released by Delhi Capitals , is tipped as a key target for Mumbai Indians to address their Indian spinner shortage.
Australia's hard-hitting batting all-rounder Grace Harris is poised to become the most expensive player at the WPL 2027 auction, with former India batter Aakash Chopra backing cash-rich UP Warriorz to lead the bidding war. The auction is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm IST on 28 October in Kochi, where all five franchises will compete to fill remaining squad slots.
Why Grace Harris Could Top the Bidding
Harris arrives at the auction on the back of a strong WPL 2026 campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), scoring 237 runs in nine innings as part of the title-winning side. Chopra argued that her dual value — as a power-hitter and a contributing bowler — makes her a premium commodity even in a smaller auction pool.
'I think Grace Harris would be the most expensive player at this smaller auction. Of course, in a small auction, the player availability is limited. Demand also won't be very high because most teams have held on to their main players. But I still feel that the kind of batter she is and contributes with the ball as well, she could be in demand,' Chopra told JioStar.
He further identified UP Warriorz as the team most likely to drive her price up. 'Who has the biggest purse? It is UP Warriorz once again. So, if the UP Warriorz are keen, I feel she could be the most expensive player at this auction,' he added.
Auction Structure and Key Slots
A total of 27 slots will be filled at the auction, including seven overseas spots. Squads can hold a maximum of 18 players, of which up to six can be from overseas. With most franchises having retained their core players, the available pool is relatively slim, which is expected to intensify bidding for the few in-demand names.
Notably, Indian wicketkeeper-batters and overseas all-rounders are projected to attract the fiercest competition on auction day — a trend that reflects the strategic gaps most franchises are trying to fill heading into the new season.
Mumbai Indians Eyed to Chase Sneh Rana
Beyond Harris, Chopra also flagged Sneh Rana — India's experienced off-spin bowling all-rounder released by Delhi Capitals — as a likely target for Mumbai Indians.
'I am thinking Mumbai Indians could go for her because they lack Indian spinners. If you look at their track record, there has been a lot of focus on Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr in the spin department. One year, we saw Saika Ishaque do a very good job, but she is no longer part of the team,' Chopra explained.
He added that Mumbai Indians' franchise philosophy favours experience — pointing to the presence of veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami in the setup as a signal that Rana's credentials would be well appreciated. 'Sneh Rana, in my opinion, brings a lot of experience. Mumbai Indians are also the kind of franchise that values experience... I think she will recognise Sneh Rana's contribution and ability,' Chopra said.
What to Watch at the Kochi Auction
The 28 October auction in Kochi will be closely watched not just for headline bids but for how franchises manage their remaining purses strategically. UP Warriorz's financial firepower gives them a structural advantage in any bidding war, and their interest in Harris — if confirmed on the day — could set the price floor for the entire auction. For Mumbai Indians, landing a quality Indian spinner would address a genuine gap in their domestic bowling depth ahead of WPL 2027.
Point of View
And Harris's dual-skill profile makes her rare currency. The more revealing signal, however, is the UP Warriorz angle — a franchise with the largest purse and no obvious reason to hold back has an outsized ability to set price benchmarks regardless of rival interest. The Sneh Rana call is equally telling: Mumbai Indians' over-reliance on overseas spinners has been a structural vulnerability, and the failure to address it domestically over multiple seasons is a squad-building gap that a franchise of their stature should have closed sooner. WPL auctions remain small enough that one determined franchise can distort the entire market — and on current form, UP Warriorz are that franchise.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Grace Harris and why is she in demand at the WPL 2027 auction?
Grace Harris is an Australian batting all-rounder who was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's WPL 2026 title-winning squad, scoring 237 runs in nine innings. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her a rare dual-threat overseas pick at the auction.
When and where is the WPL 2027 auction being held?
The WPL 2027 auction is scheduled for 28 October in Kochi, starting at 5:30 pm IST. A total of 27 slots, including seven overseas spots, will be filled on the day.
Why does Aakash Chopra think UP Warriorz will go for Grace Harris?
Chopra pointed out that UP Warriorz currently hold the biggest remaining purse among all five franchises, giving them the financial firepower to outbid rivals. He believes their resources, combined with Harris's in-demand profile, make her the likely most expensive player at this auction.
Why could Mumbai Indians target Sneh Rana at the WPL 2027 auction?
Sneh Rana, released by Delhi Capitals, is an experienced Indian off-spin bowling all-rounder. Chopra identified a gap in Mumbai Indians' domestic spin bowling options, noting their reliance on overseas spinners like Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr, and argued that the franchise's culture of valuing experience makes Rana a natural fit.
How many players can WPL franchises have in their squad?
WPL franchises can have a maximum of 18 players in their squad, of which up to six can be overseas players. At the 28 October auction, 27 slots in total — including seven overseas — will be filled across all five franchises.
