Sophie Molineux tops 2027 WPL auction with ₹1.10 crore UP Warriorz deal
Australia’s captain drew the highest bid at the October 28 auction in Kochi and will join a UP Warriorz squad led by former national captain Meg Lanning.
Sophie Molineux, Australia’s captain, was the highest-priced player at the 2027 Women’s Premier League auction in Kochi, India, on October 28, joining UP Warriorz for ₹1.10 crore, according to AAP Sport’s report republished by ABC News Australia. The signing puts the Australian all-rounder in a squad captained by former national skipper Meg Lanning for the next season of India’s women’s T20 league.
AAP Sport put Molineux’s fee at about A$164,000. Her base price was ₹50 lakh, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru and UP Warriorz both sought her signature, driving the final price to more than twice that amount. Mint reported that she was the only player at the auction to pass ₹1 crore.
How Molineux’s bid compared with the auction
The five WPL franchises had 27 places to fill from a pool of 150 players, according to Mint. Khel Now reported that they signed 25 players at the Kochi auction, leaving two places vacant. Molineux’s price was the highest of those signings, making the contest for her the most costly decision of the sale.
Bengaluru’s bid also carried a connection to Molineux’s earlier WPL career. She played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and was part of its 2024 title-winning campaign, Khel Now reported. The Free Press Journal reported that Bengaluru bid ₹1.05 crore before UP Warriorz secured her with its final ₹1.10 crore offer.
Molineux joins Meg Lanning at UP Warriorz
Molineux will play under Lanning rather than captain the Warriorz herself, AAP Sport reported. Lanning led Australia when Molineux made her T20 international debut in India eight years ago. Their roles in the new squad reverse the national-team hierarchy: Molineux now captains Australia, while Lanning will lead her at the franchise.
The Lucknow-based Warriorz also bought Australian all-rounder Grace Harris, while Phoebe Litchfield was already in their squad, according to AAP Sport. Together with Lanning and Molineux, that gives the side four Australian players. The 2027 WPL is scheduled to run from January 14 to February 7, when Molineux is due to play for her new team.
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Sources and context
- Aussie captain most expensive player at WPL auctionAAP Sport, republished by ABC News Australia
- WPL 2027: Top five most expensive players sold in auctionKhel Now
- WPL 2027 auction: Who is Sophie Molineux? Australia captain becomes most expensive buy; check top 5 signings | MintMint (Livemint)
- WPL 2027 Auction: UP Warriorz Break The Bank To Sign Australian Captain Sophie Molineux For Whopping ₹1.10 CroreFree Press Journal
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.