Mumbai Indians Enter WPL 2027 Auction with INR 1 Crore Purse and Seven Slots to Fill

The Mumbai Indians enter the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 mini-auction with a clear mandate: shore up Indian depth in the middle order, add a reliable wicket-keeper batter, and reinforce the pace attack, all while working with the smallest purse in the league, just ₹1 crore for seven slots, including one overseas pick. After releasing six players and retaining a compact core, the two-time champions are poised to address critical gaps exposed in their 2026 campaign, where they finished fourth with three wins and five defeats in eight league-stage matches.

Retention Strategy and Squad Gaps

Mumbai Indians released G Kamalini, Saika Ishaque, Kranthi Reddy, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha and one overseas player, Milly Illingworth. Kamalini’s unavailability for WPL 2027 is a key factor; the 18-year-old wicket-keeper batter will represent India at the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2027 in Bangladesh and Nepal, overlapping with the tournament window of 14 January to 7 February 2027.

With Rahila Ferdous as the only wicket-keeper batter in the retained squad, MI’s priority is evident: secure a frontline Indian keeper-batter who can stabilise the top order and contribute behind the stumps. Uma Chetry, 24, emerges as a logical target. The India international, who featured for UP Warriorz in WPL 2024 and 2025, has scored 80 runs at a strike rate of 78.43 and an average of 13.33 across seven innings in nine matches. She made her ODI debut on 26 October 2025 against Bangladesh at DY Patil Stadium and her T20I debut on 7 July 2024 versus South Africa in Chennai, adding valuable big-stage experience to her profile.

Middle-Order Reinforcement: Indian Talent in Focus

The absence of a dependable Indian middle-order batter cost Mumbai Indians dearly in pressure situations during WPL 2026. To rectify this, the franchise could potentially target domestic performers who can absorb responsibility in the middle overs. Gautami Naik, 28, fits this requirement perfectly. The all-rounder impressed for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2026, scoring 86 runs at a strike rate of 122.85 and an average of 21.50 in four innings. Her match-winning 73 off 55 balls against Gujarat Giants in Vadodara on 19 January 2026, featuring seven boundaries and a maximum, earned her the Player of the Match award as RCB posted 178/6 and won by 61 runs. Naik’s off-spin also provides a useful sixth bowling option.

Another compelling middle or top-order candidate is Gongadi Trisha, 20, whose Under-19 World Cup pedigree stands out. In the 2023 edition in South Africa, she was India’s third-highest run-scorer with 116 runs at a strike rate of 108.41 and an average of 23.20 in seven innings, including a half-century. In 2025 in Malaysia, she finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 309 runs at a sensational strike rate of 147.14 and an average of 77.25 in seven innings, including an unbeaten century.

Named Player of the Tournament in 2025, she also contributed with the ball, taking seven wickets at an average of 6.42 and an economy of 3.75 in four innings. Her all-round impact in the final, 44 not out off 33 balls and match figures of 4-0-15-3, helped India secure their second title. Trisha’s inclusion would provide skipper Harmanpreet Kaur with greater flexibility in team balance.

Spin Depth and Pace Reinforcement

Mumbai Indians’ overreliance on overseas spinners Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr was evident in 2026, with the duo shouldering much of the breakthrough burden. Adding Asha Sobhana, 35, could ease this pressure. The experienced leg-spinner played pivotal roles in RCB’s 2024 title run, taking 12 wickets at an average of 15.41 and an economy of 7.11 in 10 innings, including a five-wicket haul. Though she had a quieter 2026 season with UP Warriorz, taking three wickets in eight innings, she showed promise with the bat, scoring 49 runs at a strike rate of 132.43 and an average of 24.50 in six innings.

On the pace front, uncertainty around Nat Sciver-Brunt’s availability as a bowler necessitates building local depth. Shabnam Shakil, 19, was part of India’s inaugural Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2023, picking up one wicket in two innings. She later featured for Gujarat Giants in 2024, taking four wickets at an average of 21 and an economy of 7, including a three-wicket haul against UP Warriorz. Akshita Maheshwari, 25, previously part of MI’s setup in 2025, could also be a strategic pick to bolster the pace attack.

Overseas Options Within Budget Constraints

With only one overseas slot and a tight budget, MI must choose wisely. Heather Graham, who was in MI’s 2023 squad and later with RCB in 2025, offers all-round depth. Scotland captain Katherine Bryce, who played for Gujarat Giants in 2024, scored 83 runs at a strike rate of 97.64 and an average of 20.75 in eight innings, while taking four wickets at an economy of 8.66. Chloe Tryon, 32, the explosive South African all-rounder, brings left-arm spin and power-hitting; she scored 85 runs at a strike rate of 151.78 and an average of 28.33 in five innings for UP Warriorz in 2026 before being released.

Since the WPL’s inception in 2023, Mumbai Indians have won twice (2023, 2025), while Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed titles in 2024 and 2026. Delhi Capitals have finished runners-up in all four editions. For MI, WPL 2027 represents an opportunity to reclaim momentum and add a third title, provided they execute a smart, value-driven auction strategy within their ₹1 crore budget constraint.

Loves all things female cricket

Source: femalecricket.com