WPL 2027 Auction Analysis: RCB Look Strong, but Delhi Capitals Have a Problem
The WPL 2027 auction has reshaped the squads of all five franchises, with teams balancing established international stars against emerging Indian talent ahead of the new season. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru appear well equipped to challenge for another title, while Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants have focused on strengthening their depth.
UP Warriorz made the most of their substantial auction purse, adding eight players and building a spin-heavy squad. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, secured some exciting batting options but could face a significant challenge behind the stumps after failing to recruit an experienced wicketkeeper.
With the auction complete, the focus now shifts to how each franchise combines its available resources into a balanced playing XI. Here is a breakdown of all five squads and their biggest strengths and weaknesses heading into WPL 2027.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Strong Favourites to Defend Their Title?
Squad size: 17 players, including six overseas players
RCB entered the auction with an enviable position. Their retained group already offered a strong foundation for another title challenge, meaning they could focus on adding specific options rather than rebuilding their squad.
The additions of Jess Jonassen and Chloe Tryon give the defending champions greater flexibility in the lower middle order. Both can contribute with the bat and ball, allowing RCB to adjust their combination according to conditions and opposition match-ups.
Jonassen was particularly significant after RCB missed out on Sophie Molineux. The Australian left-arm spinner provides a different option while adding batting depth, making her a useful alternative for a franchise that already possesses a formidable core.
RCB also strengthened their Indian batting resources by signing Tejal Hasabnis. Her inclusion gives the team another option if changes are required during the tournament.
RCB's Potential Playing XI
- Smriti Mandhana (captain)
- Georgia Voll*
- Ellyse Perry*
- Tejal Hasabnis
- Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper)
- Radha Yadav
- Nadine de Klerk*
- Pooja Vastrakar/Prema Rawat
- Shreyanka Patil
- Lauren Bell*
- Sayali Satghare
Strengths and Weaknesses
RCB's biggest advantage is continuity. Mandhana, Perry and Ghosh provide an established batting core, while the squad has multiple allrounders capable of changing the balance of the side.
The bowling attack also offers variety, with pace options complemented by spin from Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav and the available allrounders. The additional overseas choices should help RCB adapt to different surfaces.
Their main challenge will be choosing the right combination from a group with several competing options. Pooja Vastrakar's availability and the form of the allrounders could influence the balance of the lower order.
Verdict: RCB look well placed to defend their crown. Their auction was about improving an already strong squad rather than addressing major weaknesses, and the additions provide valuable tactical flexibility.
UP Warriorz: Plenty of Spin, but Is the Middle Order Strong Enough?
Squad size: 18 players, including six overseas players
UP Warriorz entered the auction with the largest purse and left with eight new players. Their headline signing was Sophie Molineux, acquired for INR 1.1 crore, while Kathryn Bryce arrived at her base price and could prove particularly valuable.
Molineux adds quality left-arm spin and leadership, while the presence of Sophie Ecclestone gives UP Warriorz the potential to field two high-quality left-arm spinners together.
The franchise has also strengthened its spin resources through Sneh Rana and Asha Sobhana, alongside left-arm spinner Sahana Pawar. That depth could make UP Warriorz difficult to score against, especially on surfaces that offer turn.
At the same time, the addition of Grace Harris gives the team an explosive batting option. Harris returns to UP Warriorz after spending a season with RCB and could be crucial in providing late-innings acceleration.
Bryce offers further versatility. As a player from an Associate nation, she gives the franchise the option of selecting five overseas players in its XI under the applicable playing conditions.
UP Warriorz's Potential Playing XI
- Meg Lanning* (captain)
- Phoebe Litchfield*
- Harleen Deol
- Simran Shaikh
- Deepti Sharma
- Sophie Molineux*
- Kathryn Bryce*
- Sophie Ecclestone*
- Sushma Verma (wicketkeeper)
- Shikha Pandey
- Kranti Gaud
Strengths and Weaknesses
UP Warriorz have assembled a varied bowling group with substantial spin depth. Ecclestone and Molineux could form a formidable partnership, while Rana and Sobhana provide additional options.
Their batting also has quality at the top, with Lanning and Litchfield offering experience and attacking ability. Deepti Sharma provides an important link between the middle order and the bowling unit.
The concern is the middle order. UP Warriorz have several top-order options but fewer established batters suited to rebuilding an innings after early wickets or accelerating through the middle overs. Harris can supply power, but the team will need consistent contributions from the Indian middle order.
Verdict: UP Warriorz have addressed several bowling needs and possess plenty of talent. Their title prospects could depend on whether the middle order can deliver consistently when the top order fails.
Delhi Capitals: A Wicketkeeping Gamble Could Prove Costly
Squad size: 17 players, including six overseas players
Delhi Capitals had a specific problem to solve at the auction after releasing Lizelle Lee: finding a reliable wicketkeeper-batter.
However, DC did not recruit a wicketkeeper during the auction and appear set to rely on uncapped Madiwala Mamatha in that role. While Mamatha has an opportunity to establish herself, the lack of an experienced alternative could leave the franchise exposed if the arrangement does not work as planned.
There are positives elsewhere in the squad. Kiran Navgire was an important addition, giving DC the aggressive Indian batting option they believed they needed. Her ability to attack spin and provide power through the middle order could address a weakness from previous campaigns.
The signing of Scotland left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon also adds flexibility to the overseas combination. Like UP Warriorz, DC could use an Associate-nation player to field five overseas players in the XI, subject to the tournament's playing conditions.
Delhi Capitals' Potential Playing XI
- Shafali Verma
- Kiran Navgire
- Laura Wolvaardt*
- Jemimah Rodrigues (captain)
- Annabel Sutherland*
- Marizanne Kapp*
- Niki Prasad
- Chinelle Henry*
- Madiwala Mamatha (wicketkeeper)
- N Shree Charani
- Nandani Sharma
Strengths and Weaknesses
DC's allrounder depth remains a major asset. Sutherland, Kapp and Henry offer multiple ways to balance the side, while Niki Prasad and Minnu Mani provide further domestic options.
The batting has a strong core in Shafali Verma, Rodrigues and Wolvaardt. Navgire adds another dimension by providing the power that the coaching staff felt had been missing.
However, the wicketkeeping situation is the obvious concern. Mamatha may develop into a dependable option, but asking an uncapped player to shoulder the role throughout the tournament creates uncertainty. The team has limited room for error if injuries or poor form force changes.
DC's fast-bowling depth also looks less extensive than its allrounder resources, making squad management important across a long campaign.
Verdict: Delhi Capitals have the ingredients to compete for the title, but their decision not to recruit an experienced wicketkeeper is a risk. Navgire could be an excellent addition, yet the success of the auction may ultimately depend on whether the wicketkeeping position holds up.
Mumbai Indians: Young Backups Around an Established Core
Squad size: 18 players, including six overseas players
Mumbai Indians entered the auction with the smallest purse and six available slots to fill. Rather than making sweeping changes, the franchise concentrated on adding young players who could provide backup and competition for places.
New head coach Luke Williams indicated that the plan was to strengthen the retained core while ensuring the squad had sufficient coverage for injuries, changes in form and different playing conditions.
The wicketkeeping position was one area requiring attention after the release of G Kamalini. Mumbai signed Shweta Sehrawat, who has developed into a wicketkeeper and performed the role for UP Warriorz last season. Rahila Firdous and Latika Inamdar also provide options, although all three remain relatively inexperienced at this level.
Mumbai Indians' Potential Playing XI
- Hayley Matthews*
- Melie Kerr*
- Nat Sciver-Brunt*
- Harmanpreet Kaur (captain)
- Amanjot Kaur
- Shweta Sehrawat (wicketkeeper)
- S Sajana
- Sanskriti Gupta
- Tara Norris*
- Shabnim Ismail*
- Vaishnavi Sharma
Strengths and Weaknesses
Mumbai's greatest strength remains their established group of international stars. Harmanpreet Kaur, Sciver-Brunt, Matthews and Kerr provide substantial batting and allround ability, while Shabnim Ismail offers an experienced pace option.
The squad has enough quality to compete without making major changes to its first-choice XI. The younger additions could also become useful during the tournament if injuries or form create opportunities.
The biggest question is whether the wicketkeeping group can consistently meet the demands of the competition. Mumbai have several options, but none offers the same level of established WPL experience as some of the league's leading wicketkeepers.
Their strategy is understandable given the purse available, but the franchise will need its retained stars to remain fit and productive.
Verdict: Mumbai Indians remain a serious contender because of their strong core. Their auction was focused on depth rather than immediate first-team transformation, and the success of that approach will depend on how quickly their younger players adapt.
Gujarat Giants: Versatile Additions Strengthen the Bench
Squad size: 18 players, including six overseas players
Gujarat Giants used the auction to strengthen their reserves while adding flexibility to their batting and allrounder options.
Their acquisition of G Kamalini at her base price of INR 40 lakh was notable, although the franchise already has two established wicketkeeping options in Beth Mooney and Yastika Bhatia.
The addition of Ireland's Orla Prendergast also stands out. She becomes the first Irish player to feature in the WPL and offers a combination of medium pace and batting ability. Her versatility could allow Gujarat to adjust their overseas combination depending on the conditions.
The franchise also signed 16-year-old allrounder Samaira Raghav, adding a promising young option to its squad.
Gujarat Giants' Potential Playing XI
- Beth Mooney (wicketkeeper)*
- Sophie Devine*
- Yastika Bhatia
- Ashleigh Gardner (captain)*
- Anushka Sharma
- Bharti Fulmali
- Kanika Ahuja
- Kashvee Gautam
- Kim Garth*
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad
- Renuka Singh
Strengths and Weaknesses
Gujarat have a well-balanced core, with Mooney and Devine providing experience at the top of the order and Gardner offering power and allround quality in the middle.
Their bowling resources include Renuka Singh and Kim Garth in the pace department, alongside experienced spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Gardner and Devine provide additional flexibility, allowing the team to adjust its bowling combinations according to match-ups.
The acquisition of Prendergast adds another useful option. She can cover multiple roles and could become important if injuries or inconsistent performances force changes.
However, Gujarat will need to ensure that their middle order delivers consistently. While Gardner is a major source of power, the team will benefit from dependable contributions around her, particularly when the top order loses early wickets.
Verdict: Gujarat Giants have added useful depth without needing to overhaul their core. Prendergast's versatility and the emergence of younger players could strengthen their campaign, although their success will depend on consistent middle-order performances.
WPL 2027: Which Team Looks Strongest After the Auction?
The auction has left all five franchises with different priorities and potential weaknesses.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru appear to have the most settled squad, with continuity and additional allrounder options giving them a strong platform for their title defence.
UP Warriorz have assembled an impressive spin attack and added power through Grace Harris, but their middle-order depth remains a concern.
Delhi Capitals have strengthened their batting with Kiran Navgire, although the decision to rely on an uncapped wicketkeeper could become a significant issue.
Mumbai Indians retain an experienced and formidable core but will need their young additions to provide adequate cover.
Gujarat Giants have improved their depth and versatility, with Prendergast offering another option across departments.
On balance, RCB look among the strongest contenders heading into WPL 2027. Their squad has fewer obvious gaps than some of their rivals, and the auction has given them more ways to adapt their XI to different conditions.
However, the competition remains open. UP Warriorz's spin-heavy attack could be especially effective on suitable surfaces, while Mumbai's established stars and Delhi's allrounder depth give both teams the resources to challenge.
Ultimately, the auction only establishes the starting point. Fitness, form, overseas availability and the ability to select the right XI for each venue will determine which franchise turns its squad strength into a successful WPL 2027 campaign.
Criclines Analysis
RCB appear to have approached the auction from a position of strength, adding depth without disrupting a successful core. Jonassen and Tryon provide useful flexibility, while the retained group offers continuity in both batting and bowling.
UP Warriorz may have made the most transformative set of additions, but their squad construction leaves questions about how they will handle difficult batting situations. Delhi Capitals face a different challenge: their wicketkeeping decision could become a weakness if Mamatha struggles with the responsibility.
Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants have taken more measured approaches, concentrating on depth and versatility rather than dramatic changes. Both retain enough quality to challenge, although the performance of their supporting players could prove decisive.
The strongest squad on paper will not necessarily win the title. RCB have the clearest route to defending their championship, but the other four franchises have enough quality to make WPL 2027 a competitive contest.
