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Sophie Molineux Becomes Most Expensive Buy of WPL 2027 Auction at ₹1.10 Crore to UP Warriorz

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Highlights

The WPL 2027 mini-auction in Kochi was, by most accounts, a quiet affair — few fierce bidding wars, just 27 slots up for grabs, and a pace that reflected a mini-auction rather than a mega-auction. Source: Sportstar, 28 October 2026 Then Sophie Molineux came up, and the room woke up.

Australia’s captain became the most expensive buy of the auction, with UP Warriorz securing the all-rounder for ₹1.10 crore in Kochi on 28 October 2026. Source: Business Today, 29 October 2026 She had entered at a base price of ₹50 lakh, so the final price more than doubled her reserve — the clearest signal of the evening about which qualities franchises value most when money and slots are tight.

How the bidding unfolded

UP Warriorz came to the auction with the largest purse, ₹3.75 crore, and eight squad places to fill. Source: IPL.com, 29 October 2026 Sportstar reported that the paddle from their table went up even before the auctioneer completed announcing her name, and that Royal Challengers Bengaluru — Molineux’s former side — were also keen but had to step back, as they did not have the kind of money the Warriorz had. Source: Sportstar, 28 October 2026

IANS reported the contest in detail: RCB, her former side, pushed UP Warriorz all the way to ₹1.05 crore before dropping out, having started the day with only ₹1.15 crore in their purse. Source: IANS via IANS Live, 28 October 2026 UP Warriorz then closed at ₹1.10 crore.

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Why Molineux, and why now?

Molineux is a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder who captained Australia to the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup triumph in England. Source: IANS via IANS Live, 28 October 2026 She was part of RCB’s title-winning squad in 2024 and missed WPL 2026. Source: IANS via IANS Live, 28 October 2026 She recently returned to international cricket after recovering from a hip injury. Source: IANS via IANS Live, 28 October 2026

UP Warriorz director of cricket Kshemal Waingankar framed the signing in terms of leadership and spin control, in a squad that already includes Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma. Source: BBRW, 29 October 2026 In fuller comments reported elsewhere, he said:

“At any cost is the right answer. I think that just puts us in a good position, whether that’s Sophie and Grace combined, to tweak our combinations and decide which combination works best. Grace brings power to the middle order. Sophie Molineux, obviously, leadership qualities, an exceptional bowler and obviously fantastic with the team in general. So our thought was her and Sophie Ecclestone together would be a lethal force.” Source: Dailyhunt / Mint, 29 October 2026

The rest of UP Warriorz’s evening — and the wider auction

UP Warriorz made eight signings in total, spending ₹2.60 crore, leaving ₹1.15 crore remaining and a full squad of 18 players. Source: IPL.com, 29 October 2026 Alongside Molineux, they signed Grace Harris (₹30 lakh), Sneh Rana (₹30 lakh), Sushma Verma (₹30 lakh) and Asha Sobhana (₹30 lakh), plus Kathryn Bryce, Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar at ₹10 lakh each. Source: IPL.com, 29 October 2026

Elsewhere, India batter Kiran Navgire was the second-most expensive player, joining Delhi Capitals for ₹75 lakh after entering at a ₹40 lakh base price. Source: Business Today, 29 October 2026 Gujarat Giants bought uncapped Indian batter G. Kamalini at her ₹40 lakh base price, while Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast joined the franchise for ₹30 lakh — the first Irish player to be picked in WPL history. Source: Business Today, 29 October 2026

The surprises were among the unsold: England opener Sophia Dunkley, who had set the joint-highest base price of ₹50 lakh, failed to attract a bid, as did Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu at ₹30 lakh. Source: Business Today, 29 October 2026 In a mini-auction with few slots, reputation alone does not sell — fit, purse room and squad balance do.

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