Delhi Capitals Strengthen WPL 2027 Squad with Kiran Navgire and Young Prospect Uma Kashvi

Delhi Capitals have reinforced their ambitions for the 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season with a targeted four-player auction strategy, adding power, spin-bowling depth and youthful potential to an already established squad. 

The franchise secured Kiran Navgire, 15-year-old Uma Kashvi, Nazma Khan and Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon at the auction in Kochi on October 28. The biggest investment was reserved for Navgire, who was acquired for ₹75 lakh. Kashvi, Nazma and Gordon joined at their respective base prices of ₹10 lakh each, taking Delhi's auction expenditure to ₹1.05 crore.

With 13 players retained before the auction, Delhi completed a 17-member squad, spending ₹14.95 crore in total, including ₹13.9 crore on retentions. Head coach Jonathan Batty believes the new arrivals have strengthened both the starting XI and the team's overall depth.

Navgire was Delhi Capitals' marquee acquisition and one of the most significant Indian signings of the auction. The powerful batter was identified as a high-value target by the franchise, which wanted to add another aggressive option to an already formidable batting unit.

Batty believes Navgire's presence could give Delhi several possibilities when constructing its batting order.

“Kiran was a high-value target for us. She's probably the most dynamic and powerful batter in the auction. With Shafali at the top of the order and power further down the lineup with players like Chinelle Henry, Kiran gives us another dimension to consider in our batting order. It has the potential to make our batting lineup absolutely staggering,” Batty said.

The acquisition gives Delhi another batter capable of providing attacking intent, complementing the existing firepower of Shafali Verma and Chinelle Henry. With Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura Wolvaardt and Annabel Sutherland also part of the retained group, the franchise has considerable flexibility in its batting combinations.

15-Year-Old Uma Kashvi Becomes the Youngest WPL Auction Signing

One of the most interesting moves of Delhi's auction was the signing of Uma Kashvi for ₹10 lakh. The 15-year-old Karnataka all-rounder became the youngest player to be sold in WPL auction history. A right-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, Kashvi has already represented India Under-19 in a series against Sri Lanka Under-19. Her signing reflects Delhi's interest in identifying young players with long-term potential rather than focusing exclusively on immediate contributions.

Batty revealed that Kashvi had been monitored by the franchise's scouting network for some time.

“She’s been on our radar for a little while. Our scouts have watched her play extensively and shared some incredible feedback, and I’ve seen her play as well. We believe she could become an absolute superstar in the future,” he said. However, the coach was careful to underline that the franchise does not expect the teenager to arrive as a finished product.

“At 15, she is very much a work in progress, and we’re not expecting her to be the finished article just yet. This is a long-term project for Delhi Capitals,” Batty added.

He described the opportunity to train alongside international players and work with the franchise's coaching staff as an important part of her development. Delhi will hope the environment helps Kashvi progress towards higher levels of Indian cricket.

Delhi also secured Indian all-rounder Nazma Khan and Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon for ₹10 lakh each. Their additions provide further options across the squad, particularly in the bowling department. Gordon brings international experience in spin bowling, while Nazma adds another Indian all-round option. With the retained group already featuring Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland, Chinelle Henry and Minnu Mani, the new signings increase the range of combinations available to the coaching staff.

The franchise has therefore used the auction to add specific options without disturbing the structure of its existing squad.

Delhi entered the auction with a strong group of 13 retained players, including captain Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland and Laura Wolvaardt. Batty believes the four additions have improved an already competitive squad.

“Going into the auction, we already had a really strong group of 13 players. Our starting lineup was very strong even before the auction, and I think we have strengthened it further. We now have the potential to improve both our starting eleven and our squad depth,” he said.

The coach also welcomed the selection challenges that the expanded squad could create. “It is going to give me some selection headaches as a coach, which is a really good thing. That’s exactly what we want difficult decisions because we have the strongest squad possible.”

Reflecting on the auction, Batty said the franchise was satisfied with the outcome despite the different dynamics involved in the bidding process.

Delhi Capitals' Full Squad for WPL 2027

Retained players: Jemimah Rodrigues (₹2.20 crore), Shafali Verma (₹2.20 crore), Marizanne Kapp (₹2.20 crore), Annabel Sutherland (₹2.20 crore), Chinelle Henry (₹1.30 crore), N. Shree Charani (₹1.30 crore), Laura Wolvaardt (₹1.10 crore), Niki Prasad (₹50 lakh), Minnu Mani (₹40 lakh), Nandani Sharma (₹20 lakh), Deeya Yadav (₹10 lakh), Mamatha Madiwala (₹10 lakh), Lucy Hamilton (₹10 lakh).

Auction acquisitions: Kiran Navgire (₹75 lakh), Uma Kashvi (₹10 lakh), Nazma Khan (₹10 lakh), Kirstie Gordon (₹10 lakh).

Total squad strength: 17 players.

Delhi Capitals' auction strategy was built around two priorities: strengthening an established first-choice group and investing in players who could develop over time. Navgire offers immediate batting firepower, while Gordon and Nazma add further options. Kashvi represents a longer-term investment in young Indian talent.

The franchise has retained its experienced core while expanding its tactical choices. Whether the new additions can help Delhi take the next step in WPL 2027 will ultimately be decided on the field, but coach Batty believes the team is entering the season with a stronger and deeper squad.