Chamari Athapaththu Goes Unsold at Rs 30 Lakh in WPL 2027 Auction

Chamari Athapaththu, the Sri Lankan captain, slipped through the cracks of the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi, failing to attract a bid above her Rs 30‑lakh base.

Athapaththu arrived with a résumé that could have turned heads: 28 runs and four wickets in four matches for UP Warriors last season, and a 15‑wicket haul that earned her a call‑up to the India squad. Yet in a league where overseas slots are scarce, her all‑round credentials didn’t translate into dollars.

The auction also saw England’s Sophia Dunkley, listed at Rs 50 lakh, and India’s own Saika Ishaque and Uma Chetry go unsold. Dunkley had carved out a reputation for hard‑hitting top‑order knocks, while Ishaque claimed 15 wickets in her debut WPL campaign and Chetry was the sole World Cup winner still hunting a spot.

Why the slip? Franchises were tightening budgets and prioritising their domestic talent pools. Overseas slots are a premium, and teams preferred younger, cheaper options with high upside. The combination of limited spots and high price brackets left seasoned players on the sidelines.

Next up, the unsold stars will need to showcase their skills in domestic tournaments and the 2027 season will begin with teams scrambling to fill the gaps left by the auction. The pressure is on the franchises and the players alike to make a case before the next auction window opens.