The mini-auction for the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) will begin in Kochi on 28th October. All five franchises will look to add strategic value to their squads. With a limited number of spots available, teams will be looking to secure players who can bring depth to more than one aspect of the team. One player that will certainly be on the minds of teams is Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka). She has registered for the auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh.

With her vast international experience, explosive top-order batting and handy off-spin, Athapaththu is an appealing player to add to any franchise.

She can attack the opposition right from ball one and give any team more flexibility in the bowling department.

Three franchises may have their eyes on the experienced Chamari Athapaththu

1. Gujarat Giants

Gujarat Giants may be interested in Athapaththu. With Danni Wyatt-Hodge being released, they now have the opportunity to sign a senior international batsman. Athapaththu can provide some exciting starts in the power-play.

She can pair up nicely with captain Beth Mooney with her aggressive style. Whilst Mooney is a safe anchor, Athapaththu can provide attacking starts at the top of the order.

This can be useful with her ability to move around the top 4 depending on what they need.

She can also provide some value with her off-spin. Overall, having an international player who can play both ends of the bat can help Gujarat with their combinations. Athapaththu can be an interesting option for them if they're looking for an experienced all-rounder who can add to several parts of their game.

2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Another team that could be interested in Athapaththu is Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Her power hitting, international experience and off-spin can offer RCB another versatile option.

She can pair up with Smriti Mandhana or play in the top 3, depending on what RCB want their top order to look like. Her left-handedness and attacking style can help them get off to a good start in the power-play. Her experience playing against international bowling attacks can add plenty of depth.

On top of her batting, her off-spin can provide another option in the middle overs. As the captain, she can add some variety to their bowling attack.

Her experience can also be useful in a tournament full of international players.

It will depend on what they need to fill their roster with, but if they are looking for a player who can play two parts of the game then Athapaththu could be an interesting option.

3. UP Warriors

Another team to keep an eye on could be UP Warriorz. They've had a previous relationship with the Sri Lankan so if they feel she can solve some of their problems with the bat and ball, they may want her to join them again.

Her experience with the franchise can be an asset. She can add some attacking flair to the top order.

Plus, her ability to play off-spin means she can add some variety.

Her experience can also add some value. She's played a key role in Sri Lanka across all formats and her all-round ability can provide some flexibility.

With them having some money left in their purse (INR 3.75 crore), they can compete for players who fit their needs. Ultimately, it will depend on what they want out of the auction, how many spots they have and how much competition there is.

If Athapaththu were to join the Warriorz again, it would be a great opportunity for her to continue her relationship with the franchise.

Can Chamari Athapaththu be a valuable addition to the WPL?

Athapaththu can be a great option for franchises looking for an aggressive batter at the top of the order, extra spin bowling and lots of international experience. With a base price of INR 30 Lakh, she can be an interesting option for teams looking to add more international flair without bidding too high.

All three teams listed above could be interested in the Sri Lankan. Ultimately, it depends on how they want to balance their roster.

Overall Athapaththu can be a great multi-purpose player. If a franchise can find a specific role for her then she can be an interesting option at the WPL 2027 mini-auction.