Sophie Molineux tops WPL 2027 auction at Rs 1.1 crore with UP Warriorz

UP Warriorz signed Australia captain Sophie Molineux for Rs 1.1 crore at the Women's Premier League 2027 mini-auction in Kochi on October 28, after outbidding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Mathrubhumi). WION described it as the top buy of the evening (WION).

What every report agrees on

The auction was held in Kochi on October 28, with five franchises filling 27 open slots (Pragativadi, India Today, The Hindu). UP Warriorz entered with the biggest remaining purse (The Sunday Guardian, WION). Reports that covered the results name Molineux's Rs 1.1 crore deal with UP Warriorz as the largest (Mathrubhumi, The Times of India, WION, Asianet Newsable). Kiran Navgire was the first player sold, going to Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh, and G Kamalini joined Gujarat Giants for Rs 40 lakh (The Free Press Journal).

How the left-leaning press told it

Hindustan Times, Outlook and The Hindu: Squad gaps, then top buys

Hindustan Times, rated centre-left, previewed RCB's squad, noting 13 retained players and Rs 1.15 crore available (Hindustan Times). Outlook, rated centre-left, listed Molineux among players who could draw the biggest bids (Outlook). The Hindu, rated centre-left, reported Molineux and Kiran Navgire as top earners and described an auction without many fierce bidding wars (The Hindu).

How the right-leaning press told it

The Economic Times, India Today and The Times of India: Squad gaps, then top buys

The Economic Times, rated centre-right, set out each team's needs, including RCB's Rs 1.15 crore for five positions and Mumbai Indians' Rs 90 lakh for six vacancies (The Economic Times). India Today, rated centre-right, ran live coverage of 150 players competing for 27 slots (India Today). The Times of India, rated centre-right, reported Molineux as the biggest buy so far at Rs 1.1 crore (The Times of India).

How the centre told it

WION: Final squads and top buy

WION, rated centre, reported 25 players sold across 27 spots, with UP Warriorz picking up the most players, eight (WION). It called Molineux, Australia's 2026 T20 World Cup-winning captain, the top buy of the evening at Rs 1.10 crore (WION).

The coverage of this story does not divide along left and right lines.

What the record shows

Before the auction, former India batter Aakash Chopra, quoted by The Sentinel, said Grace Harris could become the most expensive player if UP Warriorz pursued her (The Sentinel). Asianet Newsable later reported that UP Warriorz re-signed Harris, while naming Molineux's Rs 1.10 crore as the headline deal (Asianet Newsable). Reports differ on the size of the player pool: Pragativadi put it at 146 (Pragativadi), while India Today and The Times of India said 150 (India Today, The Times of India). WION reported 25 of the 27 spots were filled (WION). UP Warriorz coach Abhishek Nayar had said before the auction the franchise would prioritise squad fit over big names (Yes Punjab). Mumbai Indians signed three players at Rs 10 lakh each (Asianet Newsable), and Tejal and Sophia Dunkley went unsold (The Free Press Journal).

Drafted by the Alethman engine from 14 independent reports, and checked by an editor before publication. An outlet's side comes from published media-bias ratings (Media Bias/Fact Check, AllSides) or documented ownership, named under the coverage bar; Alethman does not rate outlets itself.