WPL 2027: Rima Malhotra's Mumbai Indians Auction Roadmap
Ahead of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction, former India cricketer Rima Malhotra has outlined the priorities she believes Mumbai Indians should focus on. Her top recommendation is to target wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma to fill a key gap in the top order.
The auction will take place on October 28 in Kochi. Mumbai Indians, who missed the WPL 2026 playoffs, have retained a core group of 11 players under captain Harmanpreet Kaur and will bid with a purse of Rs 1 crore.
Malhotra's roadmap has three main points. Mumbai must settle their opening pair, replace wicketkeeper-batter G. Kamalini, and strengthen their spin and fast-bowling options before the fifth season.
Her first concern is the opening combination. "Mumbai have the smallest purse, so they face the fewest problems," she said in an interview. "They have kept their core group together, but the opening pair is a big issue. Last season Kamalini opened with Hayley Matthews, and Amelia Kerr was also tried at the top. They kept changing pairs, and now they need to end that cycle at the auction."
Malhotra said losing Kamalini also meant losing a wicketkeeper-batter. The franchise let Saika Ishaque go as well, and it is now looking for a spinner to support Vaishnavi Sharma.
On the wicketkeeping and opening front, Malhotra named Sushma Verma as the answer. She referred to Verma's strong domestic season with the bat and her performances in the Women's Caribbean Premier League. "MI's team management called her for trials," Malhotra noted. "A batter who can open and keep wicket is exactly what they need. I believe Mumbai will bid strongly for her in the mini-auction."
On the all-rounder front, Malhotra said Mumbai should back Amanjot Kaur, who is recovering from a back injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. "She is a three-dimensional player, and no one can replace her," Malhotra said. "She has been the team's star for two seasons, so there is no reason to drop her."
Malhotra also highlighted players she considers dependable. She cited Sajeevan Sajana, in whom Mumbai have invested for three years, and Shweta Sehrawat, who was released by UP Warriorz and could be another target.
On the pace side, Mumbai have traded for left-arm seamer Tara Norris from UP Warriorz at her existing WPL 2027 fee of Rs 10 lakh. Norris is the first bowler to take five wickets in the WPL.
Malhotra called the move a boost, but warned about depth. "If Norris is injured or fails to pick up wickets, Mumbai will struggle. They should pick an Indian pacer who can step up if plans with Norris go wrong. A young Indian bowler could also offer a proper backup who can bowl in the powerplay and at the death."