The WPL 2027 auction takes place on Wednesday, October 28, in Kochi, with five franchises seeking to fill 27 slots from a pool of 146 registered players. The wicketkeeper-batter category looks likely to draw competitive bidding, with five notable names offering varied profiles in experience, age and base price.
WPL 2027 Auction Pool: The Numbers
A total of 146 players have registered for the auction. Of these, 119 are Indian and 27 are overseas cricketers.
With 27 slots available across five teams, there are roughly 5.4 registered players for every vacancy. Indian players make up about 81.5% of the pool, while overseas players account for 18.5%.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Registered players | 146 |
| Indian players | 119 |
| Overseas players | 27 |
| Available slots | 27 |
| Players per slot | 5.4 |
Competition for places is therefore high, and franchises will need to prioritise specific squad gaps. The wicketkeeper-batter role is one of the positions where demand could push prices up.
Wicketkeeper-Batter Options at a Glance
Five wicketkeeper-batters stand out in the pool, ranging from an 18-year-old uncapped prospect to an experienced overseas international. The table below summarises the available details.
| Player | Age | Origin | Base Price |
|---|
| Bhavika Ahire | 18 | India | INR 10 lakh |
| Sarah Bryce | 26 | Scotland | Not stated |
| Babette De Leede | Not stated | Netherlands | INR 10 lakh |
| Uma Chetry | 24 | India (Assam) | INR 30 lakh |
| G Kamalini | Not stated | India (Tamil Nadu) | INR 40 lakh |
Bhavika Ahire: Long-Term Prospect
Bhavika Ahire has already captained India at the U-19 level. At 18 and uncapped, she is viewed as a long-term investment with a base price of INR 10 lakh.
Uma Chetry: Domestic and WPL Experience
Uma Chetry, 24, has represented India and played for UP Warriorz in the WPL. She is a right-handed batter noted for positive intent and nimble footwork against spin, and her quick stumpings add value behind the stumps. Her base price is INR 30 lakh.
Overseas Keepers: Bryce and De Leede Compared
Sarah Bryce and Babette De Leede are the two overseas options with substantial T20I records. Bryce has played for Welsh Fire, Delhi Capitals, Sydney Sixers and Oval Invincibles, among other franchises. De Leede captains the Netherlands and is also noted for her glovework.
| Metric | Sarah Bryce | Babette De Leede |
|---|
| T20I matches | 84 | 101 |
| Runs | 1,888 | 1,800 |
| Average | 30.45 | 22.50 |
| Strike rate | 112.44 | 97.13 |
| Runs per match (derived) | 22.5 | 17.8 |
Reading the Batting Data
Bryce leads on every batting measure listed. Her average is 7.95 higher, and her strike rate is 15.31 points higher than that of De Leede.
She has also scored more runs in 17 fewer matches. For franchises prioritising scoring tempo, the numbers favour Bryce, while De Leede offers captaincy experience and wicketkeeping value at a base price of INR 10 lakh.
G Kamalini: Availability Versus Value
G Kamalini is the most data-linked case in the group because of her availability. 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 did not retain her at INR 1.10 crore ahead of the auction, factoring in that potential unavailability. She now enters the pool at a base price of INR 40 lakh.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Previous retention price | INR 1.10 crore (110 lakh) |
| Auction base price | INR 40 lakh |
| Base price difference | INR 70 lakh (about 64% lower) |
| Women's U-19 T20 Trophy runs | 311 in 8 matches |
| Runs per match (derived) | 38.9 |
Performance Context
The Tamil Nadu left-hander was the second-highest run-getter for Tamil Nadu U-19 in the Women's U-19 T20 Trophy, with 311 runs across eight matches. Franchises may look to secure her at a favourable price with an eye on the future, accepting the availability risk.
What to Watch on Auction Day
Three factors are likely to shape bidding in this category. These are proven T20I output, age profile and availability across the WPL window.
Bryce offers the strongest international batting numbers. Ahire and Kamalini represent future-oriented picks, while Chetry brings WPL familiarity. With roughly 5.4 players per slot, final prices will show how franchises weigh immediate impact against long-term value.