WPL mini auction: Sophie Molineux top buy as 15-year-old Uma Kashvi becomes youngest signee

Sophie Molineux was purchased by UP Warriorz for ₹1.10 crore at the Women’s Premier League mini auction held at Hyatt’s Vembanad Hall in Kochi on October 28, 2026, and 15-year-old Uma Kashvi was sold to Delhi Capitals for ₹10 lakh, making her the youngest player to join a WPL squad.

The auction, conducted at Hyatt’s Vembanad Hall near Vembanad Lake, was a compact event with just 27 slots available and produced few aggressive bidding contests. UP Warriorz entered the session with the largest remaining purse of ₹3.75 crore and more roster spots to fill than the other franchises.

Molineux, who led Australia to the T20 World Cup title in England about three months earlier, had set a base price of ₹50 lakh; Royal Challengers Bengaluru showed interest but UP Warriorz’s paddle went up before the auctioneer finished announcing her name. Warriorz secured her for the top amount of the evening, ₹1.10 crore.

UP Warriorz supplemented their marquee purchase with several other signings: Grace Harris (₹30 lakh), Sneh Rana (₹30 lakh), Sushma Verma (₹30 lakh), Asha Sobhana (₹30 lakh), Kathryn Bryce (₹10 lakh), Manali Dakshini (₹10 lakh) and Sahana Pawar (₹10 lakh). Harris was described as a notable acquisition, returning to Warriorz after being part of the title-winning Royal Challengers Bengaluru and bringing power hitting and off-spin.

Delhi Capitals spent ₹75 lakh on Kiran Navgire, whose base price was ₹40 lakh, with Mumbai Indians also reported to have shown interest. Gujarat Giants bought G. Kamalini for her base price of ₹40 lakh, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured Jess Jonassen for ₹40 lakh.

Mumbai Indians focused on economical selections, signing Disha Kasat, Latika Inamdar, Bharti Rawal, Saanika Chalke and Akshita Bhagat for ₹10 lakh apiece and Shweta Sehrawat for ₹20 lakh. Uma Kashvi’s sale to Delhi Capitals for ₹10 lakh was noted for her age: at 15 she is the youngest player to make a WPL squad.

Sophia Dunkley, who like Molineux had set a base price of ₹50 lakh, received no bids during the mini auction.

The mini auction concluded with 27 slots filled across the WPL squads at Hyatt’s Vembanad Hall on October 28, 2026.