The WPL 2027 auction is getting closer, and several experienced players will enter the auction pool after being released by their respective franchises.
The five WPL teams completed their retention process on September 28, with 63 players retained across the competition. The official WPL announcement says 27 squad slots, including seven overseas slots, remain available for the October 28 auction in Kochi.
That makes the auction particularly interesting for players who were released but still have the experience and skills to attract attention from other franchises.
Among the names available are Australian batter Grace Harris, West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin, England batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge, India all-rounder Sneh Rana and India spinner Saika Ishaque.
Here are five released players who could be worth watching during the WPL 2027 auction.
1. Grace Harris
Released by: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Country: Australia
Primary role: Batter / all-round option
Grace Harris is one of the most recognisable names among the players released ahead of the WPL 2027 auction.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru released Harris along with Linsey Smith, Gautami Naik and Dayalan Hemalatha.
Her biggest attraction is her ability to provide aggressive batting and change the momentum of a T20 innings quickly.
Harris can be particularly valuable to a team looking for a middle-order player capable of taking on the bowling during the later stages of an innings.
Her release does not necessarily mean she will have limited interest at the auction. In fact, the availability of an experienced overseas player with a reputation for attacking cricket could make her an interesting option for teams looking to strengthen their batting depth.
Why Grace Harris could attract interest
- Experience in T20 cricket
- Aggressive batting style
- Ability to change a game quickly
- Overseas experience
- Potential value as a flexible squad option
One factor that may have influenced RCB’s decision is the availability of Ellyse Perry for the 2027 season after she missed the previous edition. RCB’s head coach Malolan Rangarajan has spoken about Perry’s availability, providing context for the franchise’s squad changes.
2. Deandra Dottin
Released by: UP Warriorz
Country: West Indies
Primary role: All-rounder
Deandra Dottin is another major overseas name available ahead of the auction.
UP Warriorz released Dottin along with Kiran Navgire, Chloe Tryon, Amy Jones, Asha Sobhana and Shweta Sehrawat.
Dottin’s appeal comes from her all-round ability.
A team buying her is not simply looking for a batter. Her experience and ability to contribute in multiple areas can make her useful when franchises are trying to balance their playing XI.
UP Warriorz will enter the auction with the largest remaining purse, ₹3.65 crore, as well as seven available slots and two overseas slots.
That does not mean Warriorz will definitely try to bring Dottin back. However, their available purse gives them more flexibility than the other franchises if they decide an experienced overseas all-rounder fits their plans.
Why Deandra Dottin could attract interest
- Experienced international all-rounder
- Can contribute in more than one discipline
- Brings T20 experience
- Gives teams an overseas squad option
- Could provide depth to a playing XI
3. Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Released by: Gujarat Giants
Country: England
Primary role: Batter
Danni Wyatt-Hodge is arguably one of the most interesting batting names entering the auction pool.
Gujarat Giants released the England batter along with Aayushi Soni, Titas Sadhu and Shivani Singh.
Her release came despite a strong recent international record. Wyatt-Hodge was the top run-scorer at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, according to reporting around Gujarat Giants’ decision.
Gujarat Giants explained that their squad combination meant Wyatt-Hodge could have struggled to get regular opportunities, with the franchise instead looking to improve its bowling depth.
That could make her an especially interesting player at the auction.
A franchise that needs experienced top-order or middle-order batting could view her differently from Gujarat Giants’ situation.
Why Danni Wyatt-Hodge could attract interest
- Proven international batter
- Strong recent T20 form
- Experience playing at the highest level
- Could strengthen a team’s batting depth
- Overseas batting option
Her release is a good example of why being released does not automatically mean a player has lost her value.
Sometimes a franchise decision is simply about team combination and available opportunities.
4. Sneh Rana
Released by: Delhi Capitals
Country: India
Primary role: All-rounder
Sneh Rana is one of the experienced Indian players available in the auction pool.
Delhi Capitals released Rana along with Lizelle Lee, Alana King, Taniyaa Bhatia, Pragati Singh and Eddla Srujana.
The biggest attraction for a franchise could be her experience as an Indian all-rounder.
Indian players can be particularly valuable during squad construction because teams have to manage their overseas-player combinations and overseas slots.
Rana’s experience can therefore give an interested franchise another domestic option when building its squad.
Why Sneh Rana could attract interest
- Experienced Indian player
- All-round ability
- Adds squad depth
- Does not use an overseas slot
- Brings experience to a T20 squad
Her availability could be particularly useful for a team searching for experienced Indian depth rather than another overseas player.
5. Saika Ishaque
Released by: Mumbai Indians
Country: India
Primary role: Left-arm spinner
Saika Ishaque is another Indian player worth watching during the WPL 2027 auction.
Mumbai Indians released Ishaque along with G Kamalini, Milly Illingworth, Nalla Reddy, Poonam Khemnar and Triveni Vasistha.
Ishaque’s left-arm spin gives her a different skill set from many other domestic options.
For a team looking to add variety to its bowling attack, a specialist left-arm spinner can be an attractive option.
Because she is an Indian player, a franchise also does not need to use one of its overseas slots to include her.
Why Saika Ishaque could attract interest
- Left-arm spin option
- Indian player
- Can add variety to a bowling attack
- Does not occupy an overseas slot
- Could provide another specialist bowling option
Her auction prospects will depend on what each franchise needs after the retention process.
Why These Released Players Could Be Interesting at the Auction
The five players have different strengths.
Grace Harris offers aggressive batting and overseas experience.
Deandra Dottin brings all-round ability and international experience.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge provides proven batting credentials.
Sneh Rana gives teams an experienced Indian all-round option.
Saika Ishaque offers a specialist Indian spin option.
That variety could make the auction interesting because franchises will not necessarily be looking for the same type of player.
One team may need an overseas batter, while another may prioritise an Indian spinner or an experienced all-rounder.
Which Teams Could Need Players Like These?
It is too early to say where any particular player will end up.
The five franchises have different squad situations going into the auction.
According to the official WPL figures, the teams have the following number of available slots:
- Delhi Capitals: 5 slots
- Gujarat Giants: 3 slots
- Mumbai Indians: 7 slots
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 5 slots
- UP Warriorz: 7 slots
There are seven overseas slots available across the five teams.
This means the auction strategy will be different for every franchise.
Teams with more vacant positions may have to make several additions, while teams with fewer slots can concentrate on specific roles.
What Makes a Released Player Valuable?
Being released does not necessarily mean that a player is no longer good enough for the WPL.
Franchises have limited squad places and different combinations to consider.
A player can be released because of:
- Squad balance
- Role overlap
- Overseas-player requirements
- Budget considerations
- Team strategy
- Availability of another player
- Changes in the playing combination
The example of Danni Wyatt-Hodge is particularly useful. Gujarat Giants said their decision was linked to the possibility of her having limited opportunities because of the team’s combination.
Therefore, the auction should be judged separately from the retention process.
WPL 2027 Auction: Key Details
The WPL 2027 Player Auction will take place on October 28, 2026, in Kochi.
According to the official WPL retention announcement:
- 63 players retained
- 23 overseas players retained
- 27 slots available
- 7 overseas slots available
- ₹8.15 crore total salary-cap space remaining
- UP Warriorz have ₹3.65 crore remaining, the highest among the five teams.
The auction will determine the remaining additions to the five squads ahead of WPL 2027.
WPL 2027 Auction: Players to Watch
| Player | Released By | Country | Main Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Harris | RCB | Australia | Batter / all-round option |
| Deandra Dottin | UP Warriorz | West Indies | All-rounder |
| Danni Wyatt-Hodge | Gujarat Giants | England | Batter |
| Sneh Rana | Delhi Capitals | India | All-rounder |
| Saika Ishaque | Mumbai Indians | India | Left-arm spinner |
These five are not guaranteed to be the most expensive players at the auction. Instead, they are five released players whose skills and experience could make them worth watching.
Final Thoughts
The WPL 2027 auction will not simply be about the biggest names.
It will be about which teams can identify the right players for the remaining gaps in their squads.
Grace Harris, Deandra Dottin, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sneh Rana and Saika Ishaque all bring different qualities to the auction pool.
Whether they attract strong bids will depend on the requirements of the five franchises and how the auction develops on October 28.
For fans, the interesting part is that several experienced players are now available, creating another layer of competition before the fifth WPL season begins.
The WPL 2027 auction could therefore be one of the most important stages in shaping the final squads for the new season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the WPL 2027 auction?
The WPL 2027 Player Auction is scheduled for October 28, 2026 in Kochi.
Which major players have been released for the WPL 2027 auction?
Among the notable released players are Grace Harris, Deandra Dottin, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sneh Rana and Saika Ishaque.
How many slots are available at the WPL 2027 auction?
There are 27 available slots, including seven overseas slots.
Which team has the biggest remaining purse?
UP Warriorz have the largest remaining purse at ₹3.65 crore.
Is every released player guaranteed to be bought at the auction?
No. Being released only makes a player available for the auction. Whether a player is bought depends on franchise requirements, bidding and the final auction process.