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.
2. Limited overseas slots
Only seven overseas slots were available across the entire WPL 2027 auction, making every overseas signing a significant decision for each franchise. With a four-overseas-player limit per playing XI, teams had to allocate their remaining budgets carefully.
Some franchises may have preferred players who offered a particular skill set that fitted their existing combinations more effectively. With so few places available, even well-established international names can miss out when teams are focused on filling specific gaps, whether that means a specialist batter, a strike bowler or a particular type of all-rounder.
1. Age factor
At 36, Athapaththu is among the more experienced players in women's cricket. While experience is an asset, franchises may have weighed her age against their longer-term squad-planning needs when evaluating available options. With limited slots on offer, some teams may have leaned towards younger alternatives that suited both their immediate requirements and future plans.
However, age alone should not be seen as the defining reason for her going unsold. Her performances for Sri Lanka and in other T20 competitions show she remains capable of making an impact. Ultimately, her omission likely reflects a mix of overseas-player restrictions, budget considerations, and the specific roles franchises were looking to fill, rather than any question over her quality or experience.
