WPL 2027 auction: UPW sign Sophie Molineux for ₹1.10 crore, add 8 players
Synopsis
UP Warriorz arrived at the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi with a clear script and left with Sophie Molineux — the day's priciest buy at ₹1.10 crore — plus seven more. With Molineux and Sophie Ecclestone potentially bowling in tandem, and Grace Harris powering the middle order, UPW have arguably assembled the most strategically layered squad of the auction.
Key Takeaways
UP Warriorz were the busiest franchise at the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi on 28 October , signing 8 players .
Sophie Molineux , Australia captain, was the day's costliest buy at ₹1.10 crore .
Grace Harris , Sneh Rana , Asha Sobhana , and Sushma Verma were each signed for ₹30 lakh ; Kathryn Bryce , Sahana Pawar , and Manali Dakshini for ₹10 lakh each.
Retained core includes Deepti Sharma , Meg Lanning , Sophie Ecclestone , and Phoebe Litchfield .
Grace Harris rejoins UPW after winning the 2026 WPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru .
Head coach Abhishek Nayar said the franchise entered the auction with a 'clear idea' of the squad it wanted to build.
UP Warriorz (UPW) head coach Abhishek Nayar said the franchise entered the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction with a clearly defined squad blueprint and executed it to the letter, emerging as the busiest franchise at the Kochi auction held on 28 October. The side added eight players to their retained core of ten, headlined by the marquee signing of Australia captain Sophie Molineux for ₹1.10 crore — the highest purchase price at the auction.
A Plan Executed With Precision
Nayar credited careful pre-auction preparation for UPW's decisive moves on the day. 'We went into the auction with a clear idea of the kind of squad we wanted to build. Sophie Molineux was a key addition for us, and we are delighted to have secured her services. Along with Grace Harris, Sneh Rana and the other players we have brought in, she gives us a lot of quality and flexibility,' he said in a statement issued by the franchise.
He added that the focus was on players capable of contributing across multiple match situations while complementing an already established core. 'We wanted players who could contribute in different situations and complement the core we already have. We are happy with the group we have assembled and look forward to bringing everyone together ahead of the season,' Nayar said.
Key Signings and What They Bring
Alongside Molineux, UPW signed Australian all-rounder Grace Harris, India all-rounder Sneh Rana, leg-spinner Asha Sobhana, and wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma — each at ₹30 lakh. Scotland all-rounder Kathryn Bryce and uncapped Indian all-rounders Sahana Pawar and Manali Dakshini were picked up for ₹10 lakh each.
Notably, Harris began her WPL journey with UPW back in 2023 and returns after clinching the 2026 WPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sobhana, meanwhile, was bought back for a fraction of the ₹1.10 crore UPW had paid for her in 2026 — a significant shift in valuation.
The Retained Core That Anchors the Squad
The franchise's retained group is formidable by any measure. It includes India all-rounder Deepti Sharma, former Australia captain Meg Lanning, England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, and Australia batter Phoebe Litchfield. The addition of Molineux to a line-up that already features Ecclestone gives UPW a potential dual-spinner combination that rivals in the WPL will be wary of.
Management's View on the Squad's Potential
Kshemal Waingankar, COO and Director of Cricket at Capri Sports — the franchise's owners — underlined the strategic thinking behind the auction picks. 'Sophie Molineux's addition further strengthens our spin attack and puts us in a strong position to explore different combinations. Grace Harris brings power to the middle order, while Sophie offers leadership qualities, exceptional bowling ability and a great presence within the team,' he said.
Waingankar added: 'We believe the combination of Sophie Molineux and Sophie Ecclestone could be a formidable force for us, while Grace gives us the flexibility to adjust our combinations based on the conditions and match situations.'
Full UPW Squad for WPL 2027
The complete UP Warriorz squad for the 2027 WPL is: Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Ecclestone, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Sophie Molineux, Grace Harris, Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, Sushma Verma, Kathryn Bryce, Manali Dakshini, and Sahana Pawar.
With a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging Indian talent, UPW will be among the favourites to contend for the 2027 WPL title when the tournament gets underway.
Point of View
While Harris's return addresses the explosive batting gap they had in 2026. The real question is squad balance — with Lanning, Litchfield, Molineux, Harris, and Ecclestone occupying overseas slots, UPW will need their Indian contingent, particularly Deepti Sharma, to consistently deliver under pressure. If the overseas stars click together, UPW are title contenders; if not, the depth of uncapped domestic picks may be tested sooner than the management expects.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did UP Warriorz sign at the WPL 2027 auction?
UP Warriorz signed eight players at the WPL 2027 auction, headlined by Australia captain Sophie Molineux for ₹1.10 crore — the auction's most expensive buy. Other additions include Grace Harris, Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, Sushma Verma, Kathryn Bryce, Sahana Pawar, and Manali Dakshini.
How much did UP Warriorz pay for Sophie Molineux?
UP Warriorz secured Sophie Molineux for ₹1.10 crore, making her the most expensive signing at the WPL 2027 auction held in Kochi on 28 October.
Who are the retained players in the UP Warriorz WPL 2027 squad?
UP Warriorz retained 10 players ahead of the 2027 auction, including India all-rounder Deepti Sharma, former Australia captain Meg Lanning, England spinner Sophie Ecclestone, and Australia batter Phoebe Litchfield, among others.
Why is the Sophie Molineux and Sophie Ecclestone combination significant?
Both are left-arm spinners of international repute, and UPW management believes their combination could form a 'formidable force' for the franchise. With Molineux also offering leadership qualities and Ecclestone being one of the world's top-ranked women's spinners, the pairing significantly elevates UPW's bowling attack.
What did UPW head coach Abhishek Nayar say about the auction?
Nayar said the franchise entered the auction with 'a clear idea of the kind of squad we wanted to build' and was satisfied with the group assembled. He highlighted Molineux, Harris, and Rana as key additions that would provide both quality and flexibility to the side.
