The Board of Control for Cricket in India will discuss the possibility of expanding the Women’s Premier League after its 2027 player auction, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in Kochi on October 29. The league has operated with five franchises since 2023, while Australia captain Sophie Molineux emerged as the most expensive player at the auction, joining UP Warriorz for ₹1.10 crore.
BCCI signals review, not a confirmed expansion
Saikia said the board would begin brainstorming on increasing the number of teams and other areas for improvement from next year. Speaking to the official WPL website on the sidelines of the auction, he said the review would involve more than the players, with coaches, selectors and other stakeholders also part of the wider ecosystem.
The comments indicate that expansion is on the board’s agenda, but they do not amount to a final decision on how many teams could be added or when a larger competition would begin. The WPL remains a five-team league for the 2027 season, which is scheduled from January 14 to February 7.
Saikia described the WPL as one of the major franchise competitions in the sport and credited it with contributing to the growth of women’s cricket in India. The league launched in 2023 and has become a central platform for Indian and international players to compete together in a short-format tournament.
Player numbers put pressure on the five-team format
The official WPL auction announcement listed 146 players in the pool for the October 28 event in Kochi. That group comprised 119 Indian players and 27 overseas players, competing for 27 available slots across the five franchises. The post-auction summary recorded 25 players sold, with teams spending a combined ₹73.1 crore.
Saikia’s comments followed an auction in which only a small portion of the available pool could secure contracts. The number of registered players does not automatically determine the right size of a league, but it does help explain why the BCCI is considering whether the current format offers enough roster places and opportunities.
Any expansion would require decisions about the number of franchises, squad rules, player availability, competition scheduling and the resources needed to sustain additional teams. Saikia did not announce a specific expansion date or a target number of franchises, so those details remain open questions rather than confirmed plans.
Molineux headlines the 2027 auction
Sophie Molineux was the auction’s biggest signing, with UP Warriorz securing the Australia captain for ₹1.10 crore. The official WPL auction page lists her as the most expensive player, and Business Standard reported that she was the only player to cross the ₹1 crore mark at the event.
Molineux previously played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2024 and 2025 WPL seasons and was part of the franchise’s maiden title-winning campaign in 2024. She missed the 2026 season because of a hip injury, according to Business Standard’s auction report, before moving to UP Warriorz for the upcoming edition.
Her signing was a major auction talking point, but the broader discussion after the event shifted to how the league might grow. The combination of a large registered player pool and a limited number of available contracts has put the question of future expansion back into focus.
By the numbers
- 5: WPL franchises in the league since its 2023 launch.
- 146: Players registered for the 2027 auction.
- 119: Indian players in the auction pool.
- 27: Slots available before the auction.
- 25: Players sold at the auction.
- ₹1.10 crore: Molineux’s winning bid from UP Warriorz.
What happens next
The next step is the BCCI’s review and discussion process. Saikia’s remarks suggest that the board will examine expansion alongside other possible improvements, but the organisation has not announced a formal proposal, franchise count or implementation timetable.
The immediate sporting focus remains the 2027 season, set for January 14 to February 7. The five current teams have completed their auction activity and will prepare for the new campaign, while the question of future league expansion is likely to remain a topic through the coming year.
The SportsLine angle
For domestic women cricketers, the potential value of expansion lies in whether it creates more meaningful places in professional squads and increases access to coaching, training and high-level match experience. A larger league could offer more opportunities, but those benefits would depend on the final format and the quality of support provided to additional franchises.
For now, the key distinction is between a stated intention to explore expansion and an approved plan. Saikia has confirmed that discussions are expected; the number of new teams, the start date and any changes to squad or auction rules remain undecided in the available statements.
Frequently asked questions
Will the WPL add more teams in 2027?
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board would begin discussions next year about increasing the number of teams and improving other parts of the Women’s Premier League. This is a plan to discuss expansion, not a confirmed decision to add franchises for the 2027 season.
How many teams currently play in the WPL?
The Women’s Premier League has featured five franchises since its first season in 2023. Saikia said the BCCI would review whether the competition should expand, alongside other improvements involving players, coaches, selectors and stakeholders across the league.
How much did Sophie Molineux cost at the WPL 2027 auction?
Australia captain Sophie Molineux was bought by UP Warriorz for ₹1.10 crore at the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi. The official auction summary lists her as the most expensive player of the event, ahead of the other players sold across the five franchises.
How many players were available at the WPL 2027 auction?
The official WPL announcement listed 146 players in the auction pool, including 119 Indians and 27 overseas players. They were competing for 27 available slots. The official post-auction summary recorded 25 players sold, meaning two of the original slots remained unfilled.
When will the WPL 2027 season take place?
The BCCI announced that the fifth edition of the Women’s Premier League will run from January 14 to February 7, 2027. The player auction was held in Kochi on October 28, 2026, with all five existing franchises completing their squad-building process for the upcoming season.