In a significant development ahead of the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) season, two of Australia's premier all-rounders, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland, have pulled out of the tournament. Both players have cited personal reasons for their withdrawal, dealing a blow to their respective franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals.
Franchises Move Quickly to Secure Replacements
The Women's Premier League governing council confirmed the news in an official statement on December 30, 2025. The franchises acted swiftly to fill the void left by the star Australians. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have named Indian pacer Sayali Satghare as the replacement for the iconic Ellyse Perry. Satghare will join the RCB squad at her reserve price of INR 30 lakh.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals (DC) have roped in Australian leg-spinner Alana King to take Annabel Sutherland's place. King, who played for UP Warriorz in the previous WPL season, is an experienced campaigner with 27 wickets in 27 T20Is. She will join the Delhi-based franchise at a reserve price of INR 60 lakh.
Retained Stars Bow Out Ahead of Season Opener
The withdrawal comes as a surprise given that both Perry and Sutherland were retained by their teams ahead of the mega auction held in November. Their absence will undoubtedly impact the balance and experience within the RCB and DC squads as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
Adding to the list of pre-tournament withdrawals, USA's Tara Norris will also miss the 2026 season. Norris, picked by UP Warriorz, has been selected for the USA national team for the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal, scheduled from January 18 to February 1, 2026. Consequently, she will be unavailable for the WPL, which begins earlier on January 9, 2026.
The Warriorz have named uncapped Australian all-rounder Charli Knott as Norris's replacement. Knott has been signed at her reserve price of INR 10 lakh.
Season Set to Kick Off Amidst Reshuffled Rosters
Despite these last-minute changes, the third edition of the Women's Premier League is all set to commence on January 9, 2026. The season opener will be a blockbuster clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and the 2024 winners, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
The withdrawals highlight the challenging scheduling faced by modern international cricketers and the personal considerations that sometimes take precedence. For the franchises, it tests their squad depth and strategic planning, requiring them to adapt quickly with able replacements as they vie for the coveted WPL trophy.
