WPL 2027 Auction: Wicketkeeper-Batters Who Could Spark a Bidding War

The Women’s Premier League 2027 auction lands in Kochi on Wednesday, October 28, and the wicketkeeper-batter market could be where the fireworks start. With 146 players chasing just 27 slots across five franchises, every bid will matter. Here are the gloveworkers who could spark a bidding war.

WPL 2027 Auction: The Big Picture

Five franchises will walk into Kochi with gaps to fill. The competition for places is fierce, and the margin for error is thin.

A total of 146 players have registered, made up of 119 Indians and 27 overseas cricketers. Only 27 slots are up for grabs, so most of the pool will leave empty-handed.

Among the positions likely to see competitive bidding is the wicketkeeper-batter role. It is a two-in-one skill set, and teams rarely pass up a keeper who can also score runs.

Auction Snapshot

The Wicketkeeper-Batters to Watch

This group blends youth, international experience and proven franchise pedigree. Each brings a different kind of appeal for a team building its squad.

Bhavika Ahire: The Long-Term Bet

Bhavika Ahire is an 18-year-old Indian wicketkeeper-batter who has already captained India at the U-19 level. She is uncapped and has a base price of INR 10 lakh. Several franchises may see her as a long-term investment.

Sarah Bryce: The Experienced Campaigner

Scotland’s Sarah Bryce is 26 and has played for Welsh Fire, Delhi Capitals, Sydney Sixers and Oval Invincibles, among others. In 84 T20Is, she has scored 1,888 runs at an average of 30.45 and a strike rate of 112.44. That franchise experience could make her a safe pick.

Babette De Leede: Captain and Keeper

Babette De Leede leads the Netherlands and was born in Leidschendam. She has played 101 T20Is and scored 1,800 runs at an average of 22.50 and a strike rate of 97.13. Her glovework is as notable as her batting, and her base price is INR 10 lakh.

International Numbers Compared

Domestic Talent Ready to Make Noise

India’s domestic pool also has plenty to offer. Two names stand out for very different reasons.

Uma Chetry: Quick Hands Behind the Stumps

Uma Chetry is a 24-year-old from Assam who has played for India and for UP Warriorz in the WPL. The right-hander is known for positive intent and nimble footwork against spin. Her quick stumpings make her a dependable option behind the stumps. Her base price is INR 30 lakh.

G Kamalini: The Intriguing Twist

G Kamalini is the most interesting story in this group. She appears to be in contention for India’s U-19 World Cup squad next year, and that event clashes with the WPL schedule. Mumbai Indians chose not to retain her at INR 1.10 crore, factoring in that potential unavailability.

She now enters the pool at a base price of INR 40 lakh. Franchises may try to secure her at a favourable price with an eye on the future. The Tamil Nadu left-hander scored 311 runs in eight matches, making her the second-highest run-getter for Tamil Nadu U-19 in the Women’s U-19 T20 Trophy.

Base Prices at a Glance

What to Expect in Kochi

With only 27 slots available, franchises must be sharp and decisive. The keeper-batter category offers a mix of youth, experience and uncertainty.

Ahire and Kamalini represent the future, while Bryce and De Leede bring proven international records. Chetry offers WPL familiarity at a modest price. Kamalini’s availability question adds a strategic layer, because a bid for her is partly a bet on timing.

Wednesday’s auction will show which franchises prefer immediate impact and which are building for what comes next.