Top 5 high-profile overseas players teams will target at WPL 2027 auction

The WPL 2027 mini-auction is scheduled for October 28, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt, Kochi. With the retention deadline having passed on Monday, September 28, all five franchises have confirmed their squads, and the available pool of players is now set.

A total of 27 slots are up for grabs across the five teams, including seven overseas slots. Each franchise can hold a maximum of 18 players, with no more than six overseas players permitted per squad. Several prominent overseas names have entered the pool after being released by their respective franchises, and competition for those seven slots is expected to be strong.

Here are top 5 overseas players who could attract massive bidding at WPL 2027 Auction:

5. Deandra Dottin

West Indies batter Deandra Dottin has been released by UP Warriorz ahead of the WPL 2027 auction. Dottin is one of the most experienced T20 players in women’s cricket and brings both power-hitting ability at the top of the order and handy off-spin bowling. UP Warriorz head into the auction with the most flexibility of any franchise, holding seven slots and an available purse of INR 3.65 crore, including two overseas slots.

Having released Dottin, they could look to bring her back, but other franchises with overseas vacancies will also be keen. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who won the WPL 2026 final against Delhi Capitals, hold two overseas slots and may see Dottin as a strong fit. Her all-round profile makes her one of the most attractive names in the released pool.

4. Grace Harris

Australia’s Grace Harris is a destructive middle-order batter and a proven match-winner in T20 cricket. Harris has not been listed among the retained overseas players at any of the five franchises, making her available at the WPL 2027 auction. With franchises such as UP Warriorz and RCB each holding two overseas slots, Harris is the kind of player who could attract a bidding contest.

Her ability to accelerate in the final overs gives any batting line-up an additional dimension. Delhi Capitals hold one overseas slot and an available purse of INR 1.10 crore, while Mumbai Indians also hold one overseas slot with a purse of INR 1.00 crore. Teams with tighter budgets will need to be selective, and Harris represents strong value for a franchise looking to add firepower in the middle order.

3. Alana King

Leg-spinner Alana King has been released by Delhi Capitals and is now available at the WPL 2027 auction. King is a recognised wicket-taker in women’s T20 cricket, and her ability to turn the ball sharply makes her a genuine threat on Indian pitches. Delhi Capitals, who lost the WPL 2026 final to RCB, hold one overseas slot remaining after the retention phase, with a purse of INR 1.10 crore available.

Other franchises with overseas vacancies may also pursue King. RCB hold two overseas slots and a purse of INR 1.15 crore, while UP Warriorz hold two overseas slots with the largest available purse of INR 3.65 crore. A quality leg-spinner who can take wickets in the middle overs is a valuable commodity, and King is likely to attract interest from multiple teams at the Kochi auction.

4. Danni Wyatt-Hodge

England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been released by Gujarat Giants and enters the WPL 2027 auction as one of the most sought-after batting options available. Wyatt-Hodge is an aggressive top-order batter who can set the tone in the powerplay. Gujarat Giants retained 15 players and hold just one overseas slot with a purse of INR 1.25 crore, which limits their ability to re-sign her at a high price.

UP Warriorz, with two overseas slots and INR 3.65 crore available, are among the franchises best placed to make a strong bid. RCB, holding two overseas slots and INR 1.15 crore, could also enter the race. Wyatt-Hodge’s record as a consistent performer at the top of the order in T20 cricket makes her one of the premium names in the released pool heading into the October 28 auction.

5. Chloe Tryon

South Africa’s Chloe Tryon has been released by UP Warriorz and is available at the WPL 2027 auction. Tryon is a hard-hitting middle-order batter who can also contribute with the ball, making her a genuine all-round option for franchises looking to balance their overseas slots. UP Warriorz, despite releasing Tryon, still hold two overseas slots and could consider re-signing her if the price is right. However, with RCB holding two overseas slots and Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants each holding one, there will be competition.

The WPL 2027 season runs from January 14 to February 7, 2027, concluding approximately one week before the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy begins on February 14, 2027, in India. Franchises will be keen to secure players who are in strong form heading into that period, and Tryon’s power-hitting profile makes her an attractive option at the Kochi auction.