The Sri Lankan all-rounder failed to attract a single bid at the WPL 2027 mini-auction in Kochi, raising questions about franchise priorities.
Chamari Athapaththu's name going unclaimed at the WPL 2027 mini-auction, held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Kochi on October 28, 2026, came as a surprise to many. The Sri Lankan captain had set a base price of ₹30 lakh, yet no franchise placed a bid for her services as an all-rounder.
The auction offered 27 slots across five franchises, with 150 players competing for those positions. Athapaththu was among 17 players listed at the ₹30 lakh base price who failed to attract any interest.
Here are three possible reasons why the Sri Lankan all-rounder did not find a buyer:
3. Underwhelming WPL record
Athapaththu's previous returns in the WPL may have shaped how franchises viewed her. When she represented UP Warriorz in the 2024 WPL season, the Sri Lankan all-rounder scored just 28 runs and picked up four wickets across four matches. Although the sample size was limited, she was unable to make a significant impact during that campaign.
Performances in other competitions, including international cricket and the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), have demonstrated her ability to contribute with both bat and ball. However, the WPL numbers alone do not fully define her overall ability as a cricketer. Athapaththu also went unselected at the WPL 2026 mega-auction, which suggests franchises had not prioritised her in the previous auction cycle either.