WPL 2027 auction: Sushma Verma set for bidding war, says Reema Malhotra
Synopsis
Sushma Verma could be the standout name at the WPL 2027 auction on 28 October in Kochi, with UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians both eyeing the wicketkeeper-batter — though Reema Malhotra thinks budget constraints may hand Warriorz the edge. Meanwhile, G Kamalini's left-handed all-round keeper profile has multiple franchises circling.
Key Takeaways
Sushma Verma is among the most sought-after picks at the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi on 28 October .
UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians are reportedly the frontrunners for Verma, with Malhotra tipping Warriorz due to Mumbai's budget constraints.
Verma recently represented Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the WCPL and had a strong domestic season.
Young keeper-batter G Kamalini is a wildcard target for Mumbai Indians , Delhi Capitals , and UP Warriorz .
Kamalini's full availability for WPL 2027 depends on her U19 Women's T20 World Cup selection.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru may consider re-signing Australia captain Sophie Molineux , subject to her fitness, according to Veda Krishnamurthy .
Senior wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma is poised for a major payday at the WPL 2027 auction, with UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians likely to engage in a fierce bidding contest for her services, former India player Reema Malhotra said on Friday, 23 October 2026. The five-team auction is scheduled to be held in Kochi, beginning at 5:30 pm on 28 October.
Why Sushma Verma Is the Hottest Pick
With several franchises short of a home-grown wicketkeeper, Indian wicketkeeper-batters are expected to attract the fiercest competition at the auction. Verma has bolstered her case with a strong domestic season and a recent stint with Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), where she stepped in after Yastika Bhatia departed for India A commitments.
'Sushma Verma is going to hit the jackpot this time because Mumbai Indians, and UP Warriorz are looking at her in the trials. She has recently played in the CPL as well, and she brings experience,' Malhotra said on JioStar. She added that Verma's consistent domestic performances across the season further strengthened her auction value.
Malhotra suggested that budgetary constraints at Mumbai Indians could tilt the balance in UP Warriorz's favour. 'I feel there is going to be a good fight between UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians, but think she might go to UP Warriorz because Mumbai Indians have a budget issue,' she said.
G Kamalini: The Wildcard Name to Watch
Malhotra also flagged young G Kamalini as a player multiple franchises could target. Kamalini offers an unusual combination of left-handed batting, wicketkeeping ability, and international experience — a profile that suits teams needing a versatile Indian keeper-batter.
'G. Kamalini is a young player, and now she also has international experience. She has not done much at the international level, but we all know about the talent she possesses,' Malhotra noted. She identified Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals (DC), and UP Warriorz as franchises that could pursue Kamalini.
One caveat: Kamalini may not be available for the full duration of WPL 2027 if she is selected for India's squad at the U19 Women's T20 World Cup, set to be held across Nepal and Bangladesh.
RCB's Sophie Molineux Dilemma
Former India batter Veda Krishnamurthy raised an interesting question around Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), suggesting they could be tempted to re-sign Australia captain Sophie Molineux — though her injury record remains a concern.
'RCB might be tempted to go back to Sophie Molineux, but they have Radha Yadav in the squad and she has delivered as well. RCB did let go of Linsey Smith as well. So, I would say RCB could look at Sophie Molineux, but again, it will depend on her fitness, as she has been injury-prone for some time now,' Krishnamurthy said.
What to Watch at the Kochi Auction
The 28 October auction in Kochi will determine squad compositions ahead of WPL 2027. With multiple franchises carrying a gap at the keeper-batter position, the session is expected to drive up prices for the limited pool of eligible Indian wicketkeepers. How franchises balance budget discipline against squad needs — particularly Mumbai Indians — will be among the key storylines of the day.
Point of View
But the real story is whether Mumbai Indians' reported budget constraints reflect a broader financial imbalance in the league's franchise model. Meanwhile, the Kamalini conundrum — where a young talent could be pulled between a franchise and a national U19 squad — points to a scheduling conflict the BCCI and WPL organisers need to address proactively rather than reactively at auction time.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sushma Verma and why is she in demand at WPL 2027?
Sushma Verma is a senior Indian wicketkeeper-batter who has been in strong form across the domestic circuit and recently played for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women's Caribbean Premier League. Multiple WPL franchises — particularly UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians — are reportedly targeting her because of a shortage of quality home-grown wicketkeeper-batters in the pool.
When and where is the WPL 2027 auction being held?
The WPL 2027 auction is scheduled to take place in Kochi on 28 October, starting at 5:30 pm. All five WPL franchises will finalise their squads at the event.
Why does Reema Malhotra think Sushma Verma will go to UP Warriorz over Mumbai Indians?
Malhotra said on JioStar that while both UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians are keen on Verma, Mumbai Indians face a budget constraint that could limit their bidding capacity, making UP Warriorz the more likely destination.
Who is G Kamalini and why is she a WPL 2027 auction wildcard?
G Kamalini is a young Indian wicketkeeper-batter who bats left-handed and has international experience. She is considered a wildcard because she offers a rare combination of skills that multiple franchises — Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and UP Warriorz — reportedly need, though her availability could be limited if she is picked for India's U19 Women's T20 World Cup squad.
Will Royal Challengers Bengaluru pursue Sophie Molineux at the WPL 2027 auction?
According to former India batter Veda Krishnamurthy, RCB may be tempted to re-sign Australia captain Sophie Molineux, but a history of injuries could weigh against the decision. RCB already have Radha Yadav in their squad, which could also influence how aggressively they pursue Molineux.
