WPL mini-auction: G Kamalini on Mumbai's radar, UP Warriorz eye top-order reinforcements

KOCHI: Australian captain Sophie Molineux, hard-hitting Indian wicketkeeper batter G Kamalini, and all-rounder Sneh Rana, will headline 146 players in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction pool as the hammer falls in Kochi on Wednesday. Of the shortlisted players, 119 are Indian and 27 are from overseas. The five franchises will be looking to fill 27 slots at the mini-auction with a total purse of Rs 8.15 cr. The fifth edition of the WPL is scheduled to begin from Jan 14, 2027.Kamalini on Mumbai's radarSlots: SixPurse: Rs 0.90 crMumbai arrive with a settled nucleus of Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nicola Carey, Amanjot Kaur and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. There are no major gaps to fill, barring a wicket-keeper, and their purse is limited. They are likely to add depth and may scout the associate nations for value. Wicket-keeper G Kamalini is the name most likely on their radar.Wanted: An overseas left-arm spinner for RCBSlots: FivePurse: Rs 1.15 crThe defending champions have to shop smartly. They need five players, including two overseas, and only Rs 1.15 crore in their bank. Australia's Sophie Molineux is in the mix, and an overseas left-arm spinner will remain their top priority. RCB are also expected to back uncapped Indian talent, with Vrinda Dinesh being touted as a potential breakout pick.UP has the biggest purse, but gaps at topSlots: EightPurse: Rs 3.75 crUP Warriorz enter with the largest purse and will prioritise batters who can deliver brisk starts. After releasing Kiran Navgire, finding an opening partner for Meg Lanning is the top priority. They need 3 overseas players, and will set their sights on Australian allrounder Tees Flintoff, who comes at a base price of Rs 10 lakh. Offspinner Sneh Rana, released by Delhi, will also be on their watchlist.Backup Indian pacer for Gujarat GiantsSlots: 3Purse: Rs 1.25 crGujarat Giants have retained 15 players, and like Mumbai, their core squad look settled. They will be looking at an experienced overseas batter, and a backup Indian pacer given Renuka Singh Thakur's recurrent breakdowns in recent times.Delhi's wishlist: A reserve keeperSlots: 5Purse: Rs 1.10 crDelhi Capitals have retained 13 players, five of them overseas, and released Alana King, Eddla Srujana, Lizelle Lee, Pragati Singh, Sneh Rana and Taniyaa Bhatia. That leaves ₹1.1 crore and five slots, which works out to roughly ₹0.70 crore as the most they can spend on one player. They have Mamata Madiwala behind the stumps. But with just one overseas slot available, they might scout for a reserve wicketkeeper from the Associate nations.