Australian cricket stars Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland have withdrawn from the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL 2026) season due to personal reasons, delivering a fresh challenge for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) just days before the tournament’s start.
Quick Fixes: Meet the Replacements
Perry, who was set to feature in the RCB lineup, and Sutherland, named in the Delhi Capitals squad, will now sit out this year’s competition. Both franchises have acted swiftly to bring in replacements as they finalise preparations ahead of the first match.
Sayali Satghare has been brought into the RCB squad at her reserve price of INR 30 lakh to take Perry’s place, while Alana King has joined the Delhi Capitals for INR 60 lakh. King, who previously represented UP Warriorz, brings significant T20 experience to the Capitals’ attack, having taken 27 wickets in 27 T20I matches.
RCB’s Headache Just Got Worse
Perry’s absence? That’s brutal for Bengaluru. We’re talking about someone who absolutely bossed 2024—won the Orange Cap with 347 runs averaging nearly 70. Oh, and she took seven wickets too, because apparently being the best batter in the tournament wasn’t enough.
Last season she was battling injuries and still managed 372 runs with four fifties. RCB paid her INR 2 crore and honestly, she was worth every rupee.
Now they’ve got Satghare trying to fill those shoes. Look, nothing against the kid, but those are some seriously big boots we’re talking about. RCB’s entire batting plan probably had Perry’s name written all over it. Time for Plan B, I guess.
DC Aren’t Having Fun Either
Delhi’s got their own problems. Sutherland was massive for them last season—nine wickets at an economy of 7.57. That’s gold in T20 cricket. Add in her batting, and you’ve got yourself a genuine match-winner. They valued her at INR 2.2 crore, which tells you everything.
King might ease the pain a bit. She knows her way around WPL grounds. But Sutherland’s that rare breed who can change games with bat or ball. Those players don’t grow on trees, and DC’s going to miss her versatility big time.
Warriorz Join the Shuffle Party
UP Warriorz have replaced Tara Norris—who is set to play in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal (January 18–February 1)—with uncapped Australian all-rounder Charli Knott, signed at a reserve price of INR 10 lakh.
With WPL 2026 kicking off soon, teams are putting their finishing touches on lineups and strategies. The season gets underway on January 9, when Mumbai Indians take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Navi Mumbai.
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