WPL 2027 auction: Sneh Rana excited to play under Meg Lanning at UP Warriorz
Synopsis
Sneh Rana's switch to UP Warriorz isn't just a franchise move — it sets up one of the WPL's most exciting spin combinations, with Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone alongside her. Meanwhile, Sushma Verma's pick-up after two near-misses at auction is one of the more heartening stories from Kochi, underscoring how the WPL's widening talent pool is finally giving experienced domestic players a second innings.
Key Takeaways
Sneh Rana and Sushma Verma were both picked by UP Warriorz at the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi on 28 October 2026 .
Both players were acquired at their base price of ₹30 lakh each .
Sneh previously played for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026 and has also represented Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru .
UPW's spin attack will feature Sneh, Deepti Sharma , and England's Sophie Ecclestone .
Sushma Verma last played for India in T20Is a decade ago and had narrowly missed out in the previous two WPL auctions before securing this pick-up.
India all-rounder Sneh Rana expressed excitement at the prospect of playing under Meg Lanning after being picked up by UP Warriorz (UPW) at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction in Kochi on 28 October 2026. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma was also secured by the franchise, with both players acquired at their base price of ₹30 lakh each.
Sneh Rana on Playing Under Lanning
Speaking to broadcasters Star Sports and JioStar, Sneh made no secret of her enthusiasm. 'I am very excited. I have always seen her on TV. Even now when she leads UP, it feels very good. Seeing her captaincy and the changes she makes, it feels very good. So very excited to play under her. Mei aa rahi hoon guys,' she said.
Sneh, who previously captained Gujarat Giants and also featured for Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a replacement player, turned out for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026. She acknowledged her willingness to seize opportunities wherever they arise. 'First of all, I would like to thank UP Warriorz for picking me and I am very excited for this opportunity. Like I always say, I will go to any team whenever I get an opportunity. Now that I am in UP, I would like to do my best for them,' she added.
A Potent Spin Attack Takes Shape
Sneh is looking forward to linking up with India teammate Deepti Sharma and England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, forming what promises to be one of the most formidable spin-bowling trios in the tournament. 'Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma will be with me, with whom I have always played for India. Now that I have also come to UP, I know their strength. So we will keep talking to each other and it is going to be a lot of fun,' she said.
Sushma Verma's Long Road Back to the WPL
For Sushma Verma, the pick-up carries deeper significance. The seasoned wicketkeeper-batter, who last represented India in T20Is a decade ago and was with Gujarat Giants in 2023, attended UPW's trials before earning her franchise slot after narrowly missing out in the previous two auctions.
'In the last two auctions, it was on the edge. But I was very hopeful that one day my hard work and all these things would come together,' she said. Sushma credited the franchise's trust as the validation of years of sustained effort. 'A big thanks to UP Warriorz for showing that trust in me... when you get the result, when you get the opportunity, it feels really good,' she concluded.
Context and What It Means for UPW
The WPL 2027 auction in Kochi has seen franchises aggressively rebuild their squads. For UP Warriorz, pairing an experienced domestic campaigner like Sneh with international stars Lanning, Ecclestone, and Deepti gives the side real depth across all three formats of the spin-bowling craft. Sushma's addition strengthens the wicketkeeping department with experience and local knowledge of the circuit.
With the WPL rapidly establishing itself as a premium women's franchise tournament, the stories of players like Sushma — working quietly through lean auction cycles before finally breaking through — reflect the league's growing bench depth and the expanding pool of competitive women's cricketers in India.
Point of View
Though, is Sushma Verma's perseverance: two auction near-misses before a franchise finally backed her suggests the WPL's talent absorption is still catching up with the depth of competitive women's cricket in India. As the league matures, the gap between those who get franchise contracts and those who deserve them should narrow — and Wednesday in Kochi was a small but meaningful step in that direction.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which players did UP Warriorz pick at the WPL 2027 auction?
UP Warriorz picked India all-rounder Sneh Rana and veteran wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma at the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi on 28 October 2026. Both players were acquired at their base price of ₹30 lakh each.
Why is Sneh Rana excited to join UP Warriorz?
Sneh Rana said she is excited to play under the captaincy of Meg Lanning, whom she has long admired, and to form a spin bowling partnership with Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone. She described the combination as 'very strong' and looked forward to the experience.
What is Sushma Verma's cricket background?
Sushma Verma is a veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter who last appeared for India in T20 internationals about a decade ago. She played for Gujarat Giants in the WPL in 2023 and narrowly missed out in the two subsequent auctions before being picked up by UP Warriorz in 2026.
Which teams did Sneh Rana play for before joining UP Warriorz?
Sneh Rana played for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026, previously captained Gujarat Giants, and also featured for Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a replacement player before being picked by UP Warriorz at the WPL 2027 auction.
Who makes up UP Warriorz's spin bowling attack for WPL 2027?
UP Warriorz's spin attack for WPL 2027 is set to include Sneh Rana, India's Deepti Sharma, and England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone. Sneh described the trio as 'very strong' and said the combination would make for a lot of fun on the field.
